Does intergenerational economic support reduce the perception of pension risk among ecological migrants? – evidence from China

Understanding the influence of intergenerational economic support on ecological migrants’ perceived pension risks is essential. It provides a basis for designing targeted pension security systems and promoting sustainable livelihoods. Based on survey data from 1,915 ecological migrants in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, this study employs empirical methods to examine the mechanisms and impacts of intergenerational economic support on their perceived pension risks. The main findings are as follows: (1) Intergenerational economic support significantly reduces ecological migrants’ perceived pension risks. This conclusion remains robust after a series of sensitivity and endogeneity tests, highlighting the crucial role of economic support from children in alleviating elderly migrants’ concerns about future pension security. (2) Individual, family, and community-level characteristics all exert significant effects on perceived pension risks. (3) Mechanism analysis reveals that intergenerational economic support alleviates perceived pension risks primarily through enhanced life satisfaction. Based on these findings, this study provides policy recommendations aimed at mitigating pension risks among ecological migrants in China. First published online 9 March 2026