Scott No: -
Serial number: 2012-15
Values in set: 1
Date of issue: July 1, 2012
Denomination: 120 fen
Designer: He Jie, Zhou Yue, Fan Chuan
Size of stamps: 30 * 40 mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition: 12
Size of sheet: 142 * 180 mm
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On July 1, 2012, the commemorative stamp "Universal Coverage of the Social Pension Insurance System for Urban and Rural Residents" (catalog number 2012-15) was officially issued to commemorate the nationwide implementation of the social pension insurance system for urban and rural residents, to promote the government's social welfare policies, and to welcome the convening of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The set consists of one stamp with a face value of 1.20 yuan. It was jointly designed by He Jie, Zhou Yue, and Fan Chuan, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works. The stamp measures 30 mm × 40 mm, and was produced using the photogravure process, incorporating anti-counterfeiting paper, anti-counterfeiting ink, shaped perforations, and fluorescent spray codes. Each sheet contains 12 stamps. This is a commemorative stamp focused on the theme of social welfare and people's livelihood.

The stamp documents the major social welfare initiative of China's social security system, marking the historic event of the universal national coverage of the new rural social pension insurance and the urban residents' social pension insurance. It signifies the further extension of China's old-age security system to all urban and rural residents, bridging the gap in old-age security for non-employed urban and rural populations.

Stamp Design and Historical Background:

Title: Universal Coverage of the Social Pension Insurance System for Urban and Rural Residents

Image: The stamp features a traditional Chinese red lantern paper-cut as the central motif. Inside the lantern are smiling elderly men and women, flanked by motifs of rural houses and urban buildings.

History: In 2009, the state launched the pilot program for the new rural social pension insurance; in 2011, it introduced the urban residents' social pension insurance; and on July 1, 2012, both systems achieved nationwide coverage.

Significance: This was a milestone in improving China's social security system, providing billions of urban and rural residents with basic old-age security. In 2014, the two systems were further integrated into a unified basic old-age insurance system for urban and rural residents.

Artistic and Design Features:

Artistic Style: The stamp adopts the folk art form of red paper-cutting, rich in national characteristics and conveying a festive and harmonious atmosphere.

Symbolic Meaning: The red lantern symbolizes stability, warmth, and a better life; the elderly couple represents the millions of insured residents; and the rural and urban buildings reflect the "urban-rural coordination" theme.

Color Palette: The prominent red color and the full, concise composition vividly convey the theme of pension policies benefiting all urban and rural residents.

This stamp is an unscheduled additional issue, a rare topic within the modern stamp series, and one of the few stamps dedicated to social security. It records a critical milestone in the development of China's old-age security system. Its distinctive paper-cut design makes it a valuable collectible for thematic collections on people's livelihood and social security, offering unique historical and documentary value.