China's governments at all levels should increase their efforts to implement better the rural pension pilot program, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday.

Wen said, when presiding over a working conference in Beijing, it was expected pilot programs would be carried out in 10 percent of counties this year, and throughout the whole nation by 2020.

Building a new rural social pension system was an important key in establishing fairness in society and narrowing gaps between urban and rural areas, Wen said. It was also important to improve the social security system, maintain social stability and promote domestic consumption.

Wen said the new system would be paid for by farmers themselves with subsidies and benefits from both the central budget and local governments. Any rural resident above the age of 16 is eligible to join the program.

Under the new system, aged farmers in rural areas will receive a monthly endowment of varying amounts, which will be set by government, according to their areas' income standards.

Wen said central and local government should overcome any difficulty to make reasonable and balanced financial contributions to ensure the provision of funds needed for the trial program.

(Xinhua News Agency August 19, 2009)