老人之老:宋代养老制度探析

Comments on the Pension System in the Song Dynasty

与前代相比,宋代养老制度更加完备,鳏寡独老救助制度、官员致仕制度及家庭养老的保障制度均得到完善,同时新增老年士人、老年军士、老年僧道、老年归正人优恤制度。在养老方式上突破了传统的赏赐及致仕养老的限制,实现救助政策的制度化,新增闲职养老这一新方式,针对不同的对象形成多元的养老方式。在鳏寡独老的救助、官员养老及家庭养老的运行上,政府介入的程度较前代更为深入。宋代养老制度不仅有助于社会尊老、养老风气的形成,而且为部分老年群体的晚年生活提供了一定的保障,对社会秩序及政治秩序的稳定也有积极的推动作用。然而,宋代养老制度也存在养老人数有限、养老经费不足、人治因素较为突出及地区失衡等局限性。

Compared with the former generation, the content of pension system in Song Dynasty was more complete, the way of giving special treatment to old people was more diverse, the degree of government intervention was deeper. The pension system of Song Dynasty not only sowed the seeds of ＂filial piety＂, contributed to the formation of social respect for the elderly, provided for the aged, and for part of the elderly in later life safeguard, but also had a positive impact, on social order and the stability of the political order. However, it also had some limitations, such as the number of enjoying the special treatment was limited, the funds of supporting old people was inadequate, man factor wan obvious and there was regional imbalances.