中國大陸的社會保障制度早期在計畫經濟體制下強調國有經濟地位，於分配領域上走平均主義路線，社會保障制度不斷得到擴大，偏向國家保障模式，其結果國家包攬太多社會保障項目，財政負擔日益加重，社會保障在質量上效果不彰。
改革開放後中國大陸於經濟上大幅變革，在社會主義市場經濟指導下，採行發展非公有經濟、改革國有企業和調整分配體制等措施，社會保障制度傾向個人繳費和社會統籌結合模式，此一改革可以看出政府干預和責任逐漸讓位，企業主體和個人責任愈益加強，在使「一部分人富起來」的政策與國家「放權讓利」結果下，不得不改變其原有社會保障制度。
近年來，全球化透過資本、商品、技術、資訊等要素，在全球範圍內自由流動與配置，加速中國大陸市場經濟的步伐，雖使得經濟效率提高，卻帶來諸如貧富差距擴大、失業率升高、收入分配不公以及社會階層矛盾激化等負面現象，並使一部分人民陷入生活困境。具體而言，中國大陸改革開放以來所形成的經濟資源重組，就社會保障層面而言，產生一個重大變化，那就是社會層級分化程度擴大，尤其是經濟強勢與弱勢群體的差距。因此，本文僅就中國大陸社會保障制度進一步調整引發弱勢族群的社會問題進行分析，以探究保護弱勢群體的可行性政策取向。
The social security system of Mainland China emphasized the state-run economic status under planned economic system. It took the equalitarianism route in assigning the field. The social security system was being expanded constantly. It agreed more on the national guarantee way. The country took on too many social security projects. The financial burden was aggravated day by day. The result on quality of social security was not raised apparently. After reform and opening-up, Mainland China is economically improved by a wide margin. This reform can be found out that government decreases interference and responsibility gradually. Enterprise and individual liability is strengthening. Under making the result of “granting power and allowing keep a bigger share of profits” of policy and country that “ Some people become rich”. Mainland China has to change its original social security system. Globalization accelerates the paces of the market economy in Mainland China by passed key elements, such as capital, goods, technology, and information in recent years. Although the economic efficiency improved, it is expanded such as the gap between rich and poor. This essay adjusts and causes the social concern of the underprivileged groups to analyze further on the social security system. Finally, This essay is in order to probe the feasible policy orientation on protecting the underprivileged groups.
