On February 10, the eve of the Lunar New Year in the Year of the Horse, 60-year-old courier Ju Shengjing bid farewell to his position after 15 years and six months of dedicated service, surrounded by well-wishes from long-time customers and colleagues. He officially entered retirement. "I used to be an older migrant worker in Beijing—I never imagined I could retire here and receive a Beijing pension," Ju remarked with a smile. Originally from Handan, Hebei, Ju joined JD.com as a courier at age 45 and has now retired honorably at 60, having earned a stable and fulfilling life through hard work.

Ju’s life took a turn in August 2010. After years of making a living selling fruit on the streets of Beijing, he often felt adrift and rootless. One day, he happened to meet a courier and casually inquired about the job’s pay and benefits. Soon after, he became part of JD Logistics’ Malian Dao station, beginning his lasting connection with the courier industry.

When he first started, JD Logistics had only eight stations across Beijing. Ju was responsible for delivering packages to more than 20 residential communities, carrying a POS machine as he navigated the city’s streets and alleys daily. Between 2012 and 2013, the number of stations expanded rapidly, and services grew from simple deliveries to include third-party platform integration and parcel collection. Ju served as an assistant station manager for over a year but ultimately chose to return to frontline courier work, preferring the freedom of making deliveries and the incentive of earning more through harder work.

Meticulous by nature, Ju carefully saved every pay slip from his 15-year career. His monthly income grew steadily, from just over 2,300 yuan in his first month to a peak of more than 20,000 yuan. The year 2024 proved especially rewarding, with annual earnings nearing 220,000 yuan. Beyond income, he valued the tangible security provided by his employer. From day one, the company contributed fully to his social security and housing fund. Several years ago, he used his accumulated housing fund to purchase an 80-square-meter, two-bedroom home in Baoding, Hebei, finally putting an end to his transient lifestyle.

Thanks to 15 years and six months of uninterrupted social security contributions, Ju will receive his first pension payment in Beijing following the Lunar New Year, providing a solid foundation for his retirement years. During the small New Year’s Eve event, which also served as a retirement ceremony for Ju and several other couriers, representatives from ten departments—including the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the All-China Women’s Federation, the China Express Association, and Beijing municipal authorities—gathered to honor their service.

Seeing fellow couriers retire with dignity, Ju reflected emotionally on his journey: from the uncertainty of street vending to the stability and prosperity he found as a JD.com courier. His 15 years of perseverance demonstrated that ordinary workers, through dedication and effort, can achieve both dignity and happiness.