Check every source of money separately: housing provident funds, social insurance, and occupational death benefits
In China, heirs and legatees can withdraw a deceased worker's housing provident fund balance. It is easy to overlook because it is not in an ordinary bank account and is not automatically paid out during estate distribution. An occupational death can also generate three separate benefits: a funeral subsidy, pensions for dependent relatives, and a lump-sum occupational death benefit. Ask the social insurance agency where the deceased was insured about any pension individual-account balance and survivors' entitlements.
What it takes
No application fee stated, but several offices may be involved. Prepare the death certificate and proof of relationship before visiting.
What you may gain
Heirs and legatees may withdraw the deceased's remaining housing provident fund savings. A legatee is someone designated to receive property by a bequest. For an occupational death, separate benefits comprise a funeral subsidy, dependent-relative pensions, and a lump-sum occupational death benefit.
Context & considerations
Housing provident fund savings are often forgotten because they sit outside bank accounts and require a separate withdrawal process. Ask the relevant social insurance office about remaining pension individual-account money and survivors' benefits. Required documents vary locally. See chapter 17 for formal requirements concerning wills and inheritance.
Research & references
State Council (2026). Regulations on the Administration of Housing Provident Funds, amended by State Council Order No. 844, effective September 20, 2026, final paragraph of Article 24. Where a worker dies or is declared dead, heirs and legatees may withdraw the account balance; if there are neither heirs nor legatees, the balance becomes part of the fund's value-added income. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/2026/issue_12946/202608/content_7079363.html; Article 39 of the Regulations on Work-Related Injury Insurance covers the three occupational death benefits discussed in chapter 19. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2011/content_1778064.htm; Pending verification: rules for inheriting basic pension insurance individual-account balances and specific funeral and survivors' benefit standards. The relevant human resources ministry documents were not obtained during the source research.