What if the unit closes down and the individual fails to pay social security?

Legal analysis: individuals can't pay social security separately, but employees can complain and report to the social insurance fee collection agency and let the unit make up the unpaid social security for them. According to the provisions of China's Social Security Law, if an employer fails to pay social security for employees on time and in full, the social insurance premium collection agency shall order it to pay or make up within a time limit. If the employing unit fails to pay the social insurance premium for its employees after receiving the instruction from the social insurance premium collection agency, the social insurance premium collection agency has the right to inquire about the deposit account of the unit and notify its banks or other financial institutions to allocate social insurance premiums.

Legal basis: People's Republic of China (PRC) Social Insurance Law.

Article 1 This Law is formulated in accordance with the Constitution for the purpose of adjusting the social insurance relationship, safeguarding citizens' legitimate rights and interests in participating in social insurance and enjoying social insurance benefits, enabling citizens to share the fruits of development and promoting social harmony and stability.

Article 2 The state establishes social insurance systems such as basic old-age insurance, basic medical insurance, industrial injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance, so as to guarantee citizens' right to receive material assistance from the state and society in accordance with the law in case of old age, illness, industrial injury, unemployment and maternity.

Article 3 The social insurance system adheres to the principles of wide coverage, basic protection, multi-level and sustainability, and the level of social insurance should be compatible with the level of economic and social development.