Summary of Key Points
The state will promote the pilot experience of “one-stop inquiry into the financial accounts of deceased individuals” from Zhejiang and Qingdao across the country. By establishing a multi-departmental collaboration platform, data will be integrated, allowing family members to obtain information about their deceased relatives’ savings, investments, and insurance assets with a single application. This not only addresses the difficulty family members face in tracking their relatives’ financial assets but also reflects a shift in government service from a passive response to a proactive approach, ultimately benefiting both the public and the government.
1. How difficult is it for family members to track deceased relatives’ assets? In the past, it was time-consuming and potentially led to lost money.
After a loved one passes away, family members had to individually visit financial institutions to determine where the deceased had assets, providing proof of death and kinship. If any institution was overlooked, the money would remain unclaimed, potentially resulting in the loss of legal inheritance rights. For example, if an elderly person had savings in several banks but only two were known, the remaining funds could remain untouched. This process of visiting multiple institutions and repeatedly submitting documents was both time-consuming and exhausting for many families.
2. How did Zhejiang and Qingdao solve this problem? One platform for all inquiries.
The solutions in Zhejiang and Qingdao involved creating a joint platform for handling matters related to deceased individuals, linking data from various departments such as public security (death and household registration cancellation), civil affairs (kinship verification), judiciary (notarization), and financial regulation. Family members no longer needed to obtain separate certifications from each department; they could upload electronic documents once, which could then be used by all relevant departments. Notary institutions would verify the family members’ inheritance qualifications and initiate inquiries with all financial institutions, covering all types of assets. In short, family members only needed to submit one application on this platform to receive comprehensive information about their deceased relatives’ financial assets without having to visit multiple locations.
3. Why is this policy beneficial? The government’s effort leads to long-term benefits for the public.
Although the initial setup required significant effort and additional work from the government, the platform simplifies the process significantly for both family members and the government. Family members no longer need to repeatedly visit institutions, and the government avoids handling duplicate documentation. For instance, instead of family members visiting 10 banks and having each bank verify the certification, the platform handles the verification once, allowing all institutions to share the results. This not only reduces the hassle for the public but also lowers administrative costs for the government. It’s a win-win situation where the government’s initial investment results in greater convenience for everyone in the long run.
4. This represents a shift towards a more service-oriented government: from waiting for issues to proactively addressing them.
In the past, some government departments waited for citizens to bring their issues to them, which was inefficient and prone to omissions. This pilot initiative is different; the government recognized the common issue of difficulty in tracking deceased relatives’ assets and collaborated across departments to find a solution. By bringing together relevant departments, the government took the initiative to address the problem, demonstrating a people-centered approach to service.
5. A similar approach can solve many other public welfare challenges.
This approach can be applied to other issues, such as cross-regional medical reimbursement (where patients need to return to their home region for insurance claims), social security for flexible workers (with complex procedures), and schooling for children of migrant workers (requiring various certifications). By promoting cross-departmental collaboration and data integration, the government can streamline these processes, making life easier for citizens. For example, by linking medical, hospital, and household registration data, cross-regional medical reimbursement could potentially be made possible.
In summary, this policy is a positive initiative that not only solves a specific problem but also reflects progress in government services. It is hoped that more such reforms will make life easier for citizens in the future.