The man, known as Li, was detained for alleged fraud as he did not report his father's death, who died in January.
In order to continue to claim his father's 2,700 yuan (USD 423) monthly pension, Li did not report the death and hid the body in his home, Beijing Daily reported.
To cover up his crime, Li fought with his brother who came to visit his father and drove him away. He told neighbours that his father had traveled somewhere else.
The matter came to light when Li's neighbours alerted the police this month after they saw black fluid dripping from his home and smelled a foul odour, as per a report by Shanghai Daily.
After investigation police ruled out foul play in Li's father's death, but seized Li on suspicion of fraud, the report said.