National pension for foreign residents

The national pension is a public retirement pension. Foreign residents working in Korea are generally covered.

What to know

1. Workplace enrolment — split with the company and deducted from your pay.
2. Regional enrolment — for the self-employed and others not on workplace enrolment.
3. It differs by country. Social security agreements affect whether enrolment is compulsory and whether a refund is available. Check with 1355 for your nationality.
4. Contribution periods can be combined. With an agreement country, Korean and home periods may be aggregated.
5. Some nationalities can receive a lump-sum refund on departure.

Steps

1. Check the pension deduction on your payslip.
2. Check your record with 1355 or www.nps.or.kr.
3. If not enrolled, ask the company to file it.
4. Before departure, check refund eligibility.

What you need

• Passport and Alien Registration Card
• Payslips
• A bank account in your name

Where to go

• 1355 National Pension Service · www.nps.or.kr
• Your nearest NPS branch
• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor (if the company won't file)

Questions people ask

Why pay if I'm going home anyway? Depending on your country you may receive a lump-sum refund on departure. With an agreement country, the period can be added to your home pension. Check your nationality with 1355.

My company never filed. Retroactive enrolment is sometimes possible. Talk to 1355 and 1350.

The premium is a burden. It is calculated on income. If your circumstances are difficult, ask about payment exception schemes.

How long must I contribute to receive a pension? There is a minimum contribution period. Check the standard with 1355.

Take care

Always contact 1355 before leaving Korea. Closing your account and departing makes receiving the refund difficult.

Related

pension-lump-sum-refund · four-major-insurances · nhis-refund-departure

Source

National Pension Service www.nps.or.kr / As of 2026-08