Pension Participation and Willingness to Increase Contribution Levels Among Rural Households in China: Evidence from the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle

Against the background of China's recent rural pension policy environment, this study uses in-person survey data from over 800 rural households in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle (CCEC) to examine two distinct outcomes: pension participation (current enrollment in the pension scheme) and willingness to increase contribution levels among enrolled respondents. The results show that household income is positively associated with both pension participation and willingness to increase contribution levels. Age, emotional state, and confidence in the future are also important correlates of pension participation, while perceived payment adequacy is closely associated with willingness to increase contribution levels. The findings suggest that improving rural pension participation and contribution incentives requires more than raising minimum benefits alone. Policy should focus on deepening engagement through income-based incentives, emotional status, and enhanced trust in long-term returns. The study contributes timely evidence for designing sustainable, regionally responsive rural pension policies in the face of China's demographic transition.