Social security is compulsory.

Legal analysis: social security is mandatory for employers, not for individuals. As long as the laborer forms a labor relationship with the employer and signs a labor contract, the employer must pay social insurance premiums for the laborer in full and on time. If the employer fails to pay social insurance in accordance with the regulations, the laborer has the right to claim compensation. However, social security can also be paid in the name of individuals. If there is no work unit, whether to pay social security is freely chosen by individuals.

Legal basis: Article 60 of the Social Insurance Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) stipulates that the employer shall declare and pay social insurance premiums in full and on time, and shall not postpone or reduce the payment except for legal reasons such as force majeure. The social insurance premiums that employees should pay shall be withheld and remitted by the employer, and the employer shall inform me of the details of paying social insurance premiums on a monthly basis. Individual industrial and commercial households without employees, part-time employees who have not participated in social insurance in the employing units and other flexible employees can pay social insurance premiums directly to the social insurance premium collection agencies.