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GN 01741.020: Korean Social Security Benefits

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  • Effective Dates: 10/29/2014 - Present
  • Effective Dates: 11/02/2017 - Present
  • BASIC (03-01)
  • GN 01741.020 Korean Social Security Benefits
  • A. Introduction
  • Although the Korean system pays many different categories of benefits, this section describes only retirement, survivors and disability benefits payable under the National Pension Act. These are the only Korean benefits included within the scope of the agreement.
  • B. Policy — Korean eligibility requirements
  • The eligibility requirements for Korean retirement, survivors and disability benefits as well as a lump-sum refund of contributions are shown below.
  • 1. Retirement Benefits
  • The eligibility requirements for Korean retirement benefits are as follows:
  • a. Worker
  • * Full benefit as early as age 60 for people born before 1953. The full retirement age increases gradually until it reaches age 65 for people born in 1968 or later. At least 20 years of coverage required.
  • * Reduced benefit as early as age 60 with at least 10 years of coverage.
  • * Early benefit at ages 55-59 with at least 10 years of coverage if not employed.
  • * Benefit for miners and fishermen at age 55. The age increases gradually from 2013 until it reaches age 60 in 2033. At least 3/5 of Korean coverage must be as a miner working underground or a fisherman working aboard a ship or boat.
  • b. Spouse
  • No separate provision. However, a supplement may be payable to the worker for a dependent spouse of any age unless the spouse is already receiving another type of pension.
  • c. Divorced Spouse
  • * Divorced spouse at least age 60 can receive a divided portion of the worker's pension corresponding to the duration of marriage.
  • * Must have been married to worker for at least 5 years.
  • d. Child
  • No separate provision. However, a supplement may be payable to the worker for a dependent child under age 18 or severely disabled.
  • e. Parent
  • No separate provision. However, a supplement may be payable to the worker for a dependent parent (including the spouse's parent) at least age 60 or severely disabled.
  • 2. Disability Benefits
  • The eligibility requirements for Korean disability benefits are as follows:
  • a. Worker
  • * Benefit payable if fully or partially disabled.
  • * Must be covered at onset of disability.
  • * Benefit paid as a pension or lump sum depending upon degree of disability.
  • b. Spouse
  • Same as for spouse of retired worker.
  • c. Child
  • Same as for child of retired worker.
  • d. Parent
  • Same as for parent of retired worker.
  • 3. Survivors Benefits
  • For Korean survivors benefits to be payable, the worker must be covered at the time of death or for at least 10 years, and the survivors must have been dependent on the worker at the time of death.
  • Only one survivor pension is paid, in the following order of priority:
  • * Spouse (a widower must be over age 60 or severely disabled).
  • * Children under age 18 or severely disabled.
  • * Parents (including the spouse's parents) over age 60 or severely disabled.
  • * Grandchildren under age 18 or severely disabled.
  • * Grandparents (including the spouse's grandparents) over age 60 or severely disabled.
  • NOTE: If two or more survivors have the same priority rank, the pension is divided equally among them.
  • 4. Lump-Sum Death Benefit
  • A one-time cash payment is paid to dependent relatives of the deceased worker, provided no survivor is eligible for benefits or a lump-sum refund of contributions.
  • 5. Lump-Sum Refund of Contributions
  • The eligibility requirements to receive a refund of Korean contributions are as follows:
  • a. Worker
  • Less than 10 years of Korean coverage and (l) attainment of age 60 or (2) loss of Korean nationality or (3) permanent emigration from Korea.
  • b. Survivors
  • May receive a refund of the worker's contributions if the worker died without sufficient coverage to establish the right to survivors benefits.
  • C. Procedure
  • Advise individuals that SSA cannot give official information about Korean benefits. Refer those individuals who want official information to the following address:National Pension Service Kukmin-yeonkum Building 13, Olympic-ro 35da-gil Songpa-gu Seoul 138-725 SOUTH KOREA
  • Advise individuals that SSA cannot give official information about Korean benefits. Refer those individuals who want official information to the following address: National Pension Service 22nd FL. 173 Toegyero Namsan Square Bldg. Chungmuro 3–ga, Jung-gu Seoul 04554 KOREA
The materials available at this web site are provided free of charge, for informational purposes only, and without warrant by True Link Financial, Inc., and are not legal advice or Social Security benefits advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem, or the Social Security Administration with any general inquiries. Click here to view this section of the POMS on the Social Security Administration website.