Senior citizens chat at a retirement home in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

It's just gotten easier for Chinese retirees living in the United States, including those who have obtained a green card, to get their pensions from China, according to the Chinese consulate general in New York.

Since July 1, the process for applicants in the US has been simplified to require a qualification review form, both the original and a copy of their passport and a certificate of legal residence in the country.

The review form is available at the Chinese Embassy in the US and five consulates-general in other cities.

"The policy updated from July 1 is to make it easier and more convenient for Chinese living abroad to claim their money," said Feng Xiao of the Chinese consulate general in New York.

People in China usually begin to receive their pensions a month after finalizing their retirement.

However, many retirees living abroad just give up trying to claim the money because of the difficulty in contacting the right department and many are unaware or concerned they'll be rejected if applying for the benefits from overseas.

The update is in line with the rise of retired Chinese living in the US. According to China Radio International, more than 2 million Chinese immigrants are now living in the US and the number of Chinese retirees opting to live in the US is on the rise.

The policy has been carried out for decades. However, after a recent Yangcheng Evening News report, the practice sparked wide debate online in China, especially the fact that Chinese retirees who have obtained a US green card are being covered under the Chinese pension plan.