Mainlanders holding Shanghai social security cards will be able to apply for a unified social security certificate next month, the city government announced yesterday.

It is just the beginning of a national plan to allow all citizens to use their social security cover wherever they find themselves on the mainland and not just in their hometowns.

Social security card holders from overseas are not currently eligible.

About 20 million people hold Shanghai social security cards, 14 million of whom are local citizens.

The new certificate contains all information for holders to use public welfare services, such as medical insurance and pensions. It can also be linked to a bank account and functions like a bank card.

It will be applicable nationwide and can allow holders to use their public medical insurance anywhere in the country.

“The new card has a number of advanced encryption features to make sure accounts are secure,” said Yu Xiaoming, vice director of the office in charge of issuing the new cards.

Shanghai was one of the first places to make the new social security certificate available, on a trial basis. The system has been piloted in Jing’an and Putuo districts, as well as the Pudong New Area among retirees, students and workers since the beginning of the year.

A total of 2.85 million applications have been received and 1.74 million new cards have been issued. Application is free. Cards will be delivered by express delivery within a month.