Politics · South Korea · 1 day ago
South Korea plans to bring 6.67 million people into national pension system
South Korea is considering a change to its national pension system that could bring 6.67 million people currently excluded into the scheme.
The group includes non-earning spouses and people under 27 who do not have income and are not required to join.
Under current rules, a person with no income may keep membership as a payment-exempt member if unmarried, but a non-earning person with an earning spouse is excluded.
The proposed change would let eligible members keep their status without paying immediately and later pay contributions for some past periods if they have income or can afford to do so.
This could help people build eligibility for a pension in their own name, supporting a shift away from the older one-pension-per-household model.
The National Pension Service has reported the plan to parliament, but a legal change and safeguards are still needed, including measures to prevent the system from mainly benefiting people who can afford large back payments.
South Korea is planning to bring 6.67 million people currently excluded from the national pension system into its coverage.
The proposed change would classify people without income, including homemakers with working spouses and people under 27, as contribution-exempt regional subscribers.
This status could let them pay contributions later for eligible past periods and build entitlement to an individual pension.
The National Pension Service reported the plan to the National Assembly as part of a proposed shift from a one-pension-per-household model to one pension per person.
Experts cited in one report warned that safeguards and financial support would be needed to prevent the change from mainly benefiting wealthier people.
- Who
- The National Pension Service and the government are pursuing the change. It could affect 6.67 million people currently excluded from coverage, including homemakers and young adults without income.
- What
- They plan to classify these people as contribution-exempt regional subscribers, allowing them to make later payments for eligible past periods.
- When
- The plan was reported to the National Assembly by October 22, 2026. YTN reported on it on October 24.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The change is intended to lower barriers to individual pension coverage and address gaps in the current system, which treats some people without income differently based on marital status.
Government and National Pension Service
Pension experts cited in Financial News
Access to coverage
Government and National Pension Service
The plan would include people without income, such as homemakers with working spouses and people under 27, as contribution-exempt subscribers.
Pension experts cited in Financial News
Opening access without adequate safeguards could leave the greatest benefits to people with the money to make later payments.
Safeguards and support
Government and National Pension Service
The sources describe a plan to expand coverage and make later contributions possible.
Pension experts cited in Financial News
Experts say measures such as expanded public support for regional subscribers’ contributions and advance credits for childbirth and caregiving are needed.
The national pension system was introduced with a one-pension-per-household structure.
An attempt to change the system did not succeed.
Health and Welfare Minister Jung Eun-kyung discussed the 119-month limit on later contributions.
The government and National Pension Service submitted a report to the National Assembly describing the planned enrollment-system revision.
YTN reported that the National Pension Service had formalized plans to revise the enrollment structure.
- People potentially affected
- 6.67 million
- Proposed status
- Contribution-exempt regional subscribers
- Young adults mentioned
- Under 27 and without income
- Later contribution limit
- Up to 119 months
- Current system design
- One pension per household
- Proposed direction
- One pension per person
3 sources
What people are saying
The later contribution system previously had no time limit, but a few years ago the law was amended to set a limit of 119 months.
If the door to enrollment is simply opened, only wealthy people with financial resources may benefit, while low-income vulnerable groups who need real help may be left out.