Social security costs have risen again. A few days ago, both Beijing and Shanghai simultaneously increased the social security payment base. Beijing's base increased from 6,326 yuan to 6,821 yuan, a 7.8% increase from last year, while Shanghai's base rose from 7,310 yuan to 7,384 yuan, also a 1% increase. Not only has the individual contribution increased, but for businesses, the cost of labor has also significantly risen.

Take an employee working in Beijing as an example. According to the minimum standards, the employer contributes 16% for the pension insurance, and the individual contributes 8%. For medical insurance, the employer contributes 10%, and the individual contributes 2%. Adding in unemployment insurance and work injury insurance, the employer has to pay a minimum of 1,827 yuan per person, and the individual has to pay 719 yuan. If the monthly salary is 8,000 yuan, after calculating based on the minimum base, the employee actually receives 7,281 yuan, which is before deducting the housing fund. After the housing fund is deducted, it might be only a little over six thousand. The overall labor cost for a business per person amounts to over ten thousand yuan, which is an increase of 132.57 yuan per person per month compared to last year. If a company has 500 employees, the annual labor cost will increase by about 800,000 yuan.

It is evident that the rise in social security costs has significantly increased the cost of hiring for businesses, making their operational burden heavier. This undoubtedly puts immense pressure on businesses.

In the current economic environment, business operations are already fraught with difficulties, and the continuous increase in costs can put businesses in a dilemma. They either have to reduce salaries and lay off employees or change the nature of employees' contracts to stop paying social security. However, both approaches can harm employees' rights, leading to job instability and a decline in the quality of life. This is a vicious cycle; don't think that businesses' difficulties are unrelated to ordinary people. We are all in the same boat, and no one can escape.

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The basis for social security contributions should consider various factors comprehensively, such as wage levels, price changes, and the overall economic development of society. Currently, the employment situation is severe, and the CPI over the past year has remained relatively stable, with no significant inflation. Under these circumstances, hastily increasing social security costs may not be reasonable. The sustainable development of the social security system requires a balance of interests, ensuring the rights of insured individuals while also considering the bearing capacity of businesses. If social security costs are increased indiscriminately, it will not only increase the burden on businesses, hindering their development and affecting economic growth, but may also lead to more social issues, such as a reduction in job opportunities and talent loss. It is also not conducive to stimulating consumption.

However, for individuals, whether to pay social security is a matter that requires careful consideration. Although paying social security will reduce personal disposable income in the short term, it can provide a stable economic guarantee in old age from a long-term perspective. Especially during periods of economic instability, the role of social security becomes even more important.

Of course, if individuals have the financial means, they can also consider purchasing additional commercial insurance as a supplement, which can not only further improve the quality of life in old age but also provide more security for themselves and their families.

However, there is a point that needs to be reminded: there are many terms and conditions in commercial insurance, so it is essential to find a professional and reliable planner. Not long ago, a netizen mentioned that about four or five years ago, a cousin bought her an insurance policy, which was described as very good at the time, covering this and that. However, at the beginning of this year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the hospital and thought of her insurance policy, only to find that the insurance company directly refused to pay. The reason was that she did not inform them of her health status in advance. Fortunately, she had seen one of my previous videos and asked me about this issue. Later, I taught her some communication skills with the insurance company, and now the full compensation has been paid!

We must understand that insurance companies are profit-making organizations, not charitable institutions. Why are the terms and conditions so complicated? They are all in their favor. Although there is regulation by the insurance law, if ordinary people do not understand the nuances of the text, they can easily find a reason to refuse compensation after an incident. Therefore, when encountering such issues, first, do not panic, consult a professional, and second, never easily compromise; it is essential to protect one's rights and interests.