Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ms.L]

Is it legal for the employer to use part of my salary as their contribution towards my pension? Thanks.

[kangnam mafioso]

Pension is a deduction from your paycheck matched by your employer and required by law -- not an option. If you are American or Canadian (and some other nationalities), you will get the money back after you leave Korea -- if you go the correct process with the pension office.

My deduction (if i remember correctly) was about 40,000 per month and i received almost $2,000 after returning to the USA.

[Ms.L]

Ok, you mentioned the employer is suppse to match my contribution, but can they legally use a part of my salary as THEIR MATCH to what I have to put in? Thus, having me pay the full lump sum. Sorry, if I sound ignorant in this matter.

[ttompatz]

[wylies99]

A lot of people on this site will tell you to call the pension office. That won't help you. What you need to do is VISIT the local pension office with your alien registration card, your passport, a copy of your contract, and any pay stubs you may have. Also, bring your eployer's phone number.
You may surprise the pension office if
1) Your private school (hogwan or hagwon) is not actually registered (that will mean you're working in an illegal hogwan), or if
2) Your school has not been forwarding the contributions.

My "guess" is that your hogwan is probably cheating you. Hogwans bank on you being unaware of the law and being lazy.


Just one more thing- if there are other foreigners who work with you, don't tell them anything about what you're doing or going to do. Don't even tell them about your suspicions or let them see you making copies of your documents. There are RATS in these hogwans who won't even help you when it is in their own best interests. You wouldn't believe how stupid some of these rats can be. I know, I worked with four of them in my first hogwan.

[oneota]

Is the 4.5% based on the base gross salary, the net salary, or the greatest gross salary (i.e., including overtime)?

[richardlang]

[jangsalgida]