The National Pension (국민연금) is Korea's mandatory public pension, run by the National Pension Service (NPS). Foreign residents often have it deducted from their pay without knowing whether the money can be reclaimed on leaving Korea. This article summarizes the main rules, with notes for Vietnamese nationals.
1. Who must join?
- Foreigners aged 18 to under 60 living in Korea are compulsorily covered, like Koreans.
- Employees (사업장가입자): the employer registers and deducts contributions from pay.
- Others (지역가입자): for example the self-employed, who declare income and pay themselves.
- Under reciprocity (상호주의), nationals of countries that do not protect Koreans with a similar pension can be excluded. A social security agreement with the home country takes precedence.
2. Contributions in 2026
- The rate is 9.5% of standard monthly income since January 2026, rising to 10% on 1 January 2027.
- Employees: employee and employer each pay half (4.75% each in 2026).
- Regional members: pay the full amount, due by the 10th of the following month.
- From 1 July 2026, standard monthly income has a floor of 410,000 won and a ceiling of 6,590,000 won, so the maximum contribution is about 626,050 won per month (roughly 313,025 won for the employee). Income above the ceiling is still counted at 6,590,000 won.
3. Pension eligibility
- Foreigners can receive old-age, disability and survivor benefits on the same terms as Koreans.
- Old-age pension: at least 10 years of contributions and the pensionable age, which rises to 65 for those born in 1969 or later.
- The pension can be received abroad, but NPS checks periodically that recipients are alive (planned to rise to twice a year).
4. Lump-sum refund (반환일시금) when you leave
If you have paid for fewer than 10 years, can you get the money back? For foreigners it depends on nationality and visa. According to NPS, a foreigner can claim a refund only if one of these applies:
- Their country has a social security agreement with Korea that provides for refunds.
- Their country pays a similar refund to Koreans (reciprocity; a list including Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan).
- They hold an E-8, E-9 or H-2 visa, regardless of nationality (since 11 May 2007).
The refund is contributions plus interest (based on the 3-year fixed deposit rate). You must have left Korea or be able to show you will leave within one month (for example a flight ticket). Receiving a refund erases your contribution period; if you rejoin later, you can repay the amount with interest to restore it.
Notes for Vietnamese nationals
- Korea and Vietnam have a social security agreement, in force since January 2024. According to NPS, Vietnamese workers hired locally in Korea are covered by the Korean pension. Some older NPS guides still list Vietnam among excluded countries, which predates the agreement.
- According to NPS's summary of the agreement, totalizing contribution periods and refunds to Vietnamese nationals under the agreement are delayed until Vietnam enacts a domestic law. Refunds based on visa type (E-8, E-9, H-2) are not affected.
- In practice: Vietnamese on E-9, E-8 or H-2 can be refunded when they leave. For Vietnamese on other visas (E-7, F-6, D-2...), I found no source confirming whether a refund is available, so ask NPS directly before leaving.
- Vietnamese posted to Korea by an employer can avoid double coverage: they stay in Vietnam's system for up to 5 years, extendable by 3 years, with a certificate from the Vietnamese insurance authority.
5. How to claim a refund
- Before departure: go to an NPS office with the claim form, copies of your passport, residence card, bankbook and a flight ticket.
- From abroad (by mail): a claim form notarized where you live and attested by the Korean consulate (or Apostille where applicable), plus copies of your passport and bankbook. Foreign-language documents need notarized Korean translations.
- At Incheon Airport: eligible claimants can be paid in foreign currency on the day of departure (15 currencies, no won). Not available if you fly on a weekend, public holiday or the last business day of December. Departure must be between 10:30 and 24:00 (from 11:00 at Terminal 2).
- Time limit: the right expires 5 years after it arises. After expiry you can still claim within 10 years after turning 60, or survivors within 5 years after the contributor's death.
6. New rule: back payments require proof of residence
From 31 August 2026, foreigners who want to pay for missing months retroactively must prove they were physically in Korea at least 15 days in each such month, with entry and exit records and marital status documents. NPS also plans legislation to limit back payments to nationals of countries that allow Koreans the same, with no date given.
7. What to do now
- Check that your payslip shows the 국민연금 deduction and that it matches 4.75% (2026).
- Keep your passport, residence card, contract, payslips and bank details.
- Before leaving, ask NPS (call 1355, or 1345 for help in Vietnamese) whether you can claim a refund.
Note: rules change often and depend on nationality and visa. Some NPS pages show no update date. This is not legal or financial advice; check with NPS (nps.or.kr) and Vietnam's social insurance authority before deciding.
Sources: NPS, "Foreigners and Lump-sum Refund"; NPS, Korea-Vietnam Social Security Agreement; NPS, 외국인을 위한 국민연금 안내; NPS, Guide for Foreigners; NPS, 외국인에 대한 급여; Bizforms, rates and income limits from 1 July 2026; The Korea Herald, 1 Sep 2026; The Asia Business Daily, 1 Sep 2026. This English version was compiled by Cẩm Nang Hàn Quốc.