Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korea expands pension credits for military service, childbirth and unemployment
South Korea’s National Pension system has credits that add certain periods to a person’s contribution record when they cannot pay contributions because of military service, childbirth or unemployment.
The record affects whether someone qualifies for an old-age pension and how much they receive; generally, a person needs at least 10 years of credited membership.
From January 1, 2027, people completing military service will have their full service period counted, without the current 12-month cap or six-month minimum.
For children born or adopted from January 1, 2026, the system counts 12 months for each of the first two children and 18 months for each additional child; from 2027, the credit for a second child rises to 15 months.
Eligible people receiving unemployment benefits can have the state pay 75% of their pension contributions for up to 12 months, while they pay the other 25%.
Unemployment credits must be applied for, through a National Pension Service office or employment centre, by the 15th of the month after unemployment benefits end.
South Korea is expanding National Pension credits for military service, childbirth and unemployment.
From January 1, 2027, people completing military service will receive credit for their full service period, with no minimum service requirement.
Childbirth credits will include 12 months for a first child and 15 months for a second child born or adopted from 2027.
Unemployment credit covers 75% of eligible pension contributions, while the applicant pays the remaining 25%.
The credits add time to a person’s pension-insurance record, which affects eligibility for and the amount of an old-age pension.
- Who
- South Korean National Pension contributors who served in the military, had children or received unemployment benefits.
- What
- The pension system is expanding credits that add eligible periods to a person’s insurance record.
- When
- Some changes began this year; further military-service and second-child credit changes start in 2027.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The credits can help people meet the 10-year minimum for an old-age pension or increase their pension amount.
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Childbirth credits expanded to include first children, with 12 months credited for each of the first two children and 18 months for each child from the third onward.
People completing military service from this date will receive credit for their full service period, with no six-month minimum.
The credit for a second child born or adopted from this year will increase from 12 months to 15 months.
- Military-service credit from 2027
- Full period of actual service
- First-child credit
- 12 months
- Second-child credit from 2027
- 15 months
- Unemployment-credit contribution
- Applicant pays 25%; the state pays 75%
- Unemployment-credit limit
- 12 months over a lifetime
- Old-age pension minimum
- 10 years of credited insurance time