Purpose/Significance With the acceleration of modernization and the highlighting of the problem of population aging, the problem of rural old-age care has attracted much attention. The purpose of this study is to explore the value and influence of clan culture in the rural mutual care model, to analyze the challenges it faces, and to propose innovative paths to deal with the rural elderly problem.

Methodology/Process Through literature review and case study analysis, the study examines the operational mechanism and practical dilemmas of clan culture in rural mutual support for the elderly, taking into account the differences in clan culture between the northern and southern regions of China.

Results/Conclusions The study finds that clan culture, with blood ties, provides a cultural foundation for rural mutual care, but faces challenges such as the rise of individualism and the misalignment of policy and culture. This study proposes to promote the integration of clan culture and modern pension service mechanism by remodeling clan public space, utilizing digital tools, sublimating “filial piety and fraternal duty” ethics and other innovative paths to provide new ideas and methods for rural pension, which is of great theoretical significance and practical value.