Abstract: This article aims to introduce Daniel Defoe’s social welfare thought typified by insurance mutual benefit. In order to prevent the poverty and defuse the risk of life, Daniel Defoe suggested establishing the programs of mutual benefit association and pension bureau among such special groups as sailors and women, as well as ordinary laborers. He elaborated the concept, principles, operating mechanism and functions of the association and the bureau. The present paper believes that Defoe’s social welfare thought has three features: the accurate forecast of the social issues, the advanced nature of the ideas and the feasibility of the plans. However, there are shortcomings in his thought. For example, the nature of his insurance is unknown, the plan lacks stability, and his thought has a strong sense of idealism. The author believes that, in view of the social characteristics on the eve of the industrial revolution, such insurance thought aiming at helping each other is worthy of affirmation for its taking the human’s wellbeing as a duty.

Key words: Daniel Defoe, mutual benefit association, pension bureau