Can I use my social security card without activating it?

Social security cards can't be used if they haven't been activated in three or four years. The activation period of the new social security card is within six months counting from the date when the participant or the participant's unit applies for the card at the social security card processing window to receive the card. If the card is not activated after the deadline, the use of the original card will be restricted. The claimant should go to the cooperative financial institution for social security card bank account activation with his/her original valid ID and social security card. After the activation of the social security card bank account, the financial function of the social security card can be used.

The Social Insurance Law of the People's Republic of China

Article 74

Social insurance agencies obtain data necessary for social insurance work through business operations, statistics and surveys, and the relevant units and individuals shall provide them in a timely and truthful manner.

Social insurance agencies shall establish files for employers in a timely manner, keep complete and accurate records of social insurance data such as the number of persons participating in social insurance and the amount of contributions paid, and properly keep the original vouchers for registration and declaration, as well as the accounting vouchers for payment and settlement.

Social insurance agencies shall record in a timely, complete and accurate manner the contributions made by individuals participating in social insurance and by employers on their behalf, as well as records of their individual rights and interests, such as the enjoyment of social insurance benefits, and shall regularly send the record sheets of individual rights and interests to the individuals free of charge.

Employers and individuals can inquire and check their records of contributions and enjoyment of social insurance benefits with the social insurance administration organizations free of charge, and request the social insurance administration organizations to provide social insurance consulting and other related services.