Korean Job Discussion Forums

kiwiluvesyew · Joined: 29 Apr 2008

I've been reading about how I am supposed to get a card from my employer proving that they have been paying into pension and not just stealing my money. Is this true? Should I be getting some kind of proof that they are paying the income taxes as well? Like a card or receipt from someone other than my employer? Right now they aren't taking enough out for my pension OR my income taxes. Obviously I'm upset about the pension and I'm going to talk to them, but I'm unclear if the income tax will be a problem later. Any help?
Are you supposed to get a card for health insurance as well? We've yet to even get our ARC and we've been here two months. I DESPERATELY need answers!!!!

Dances With Wolves · Joined: 06 May 2008 Location: A galaxy far, far away!

I will try to help. Although you have 90 days to get your ARC, you really should get that as soon as possible, mine took about 3 weeks after I turned all the necessary paperwork in. Regarding the tax issue, depends where you are from, and that determines how much tax you have to pay. Myself I am from the US so i do not pay any taxes for 2 years. Residents from Canada are required to pay taxes in Korea and in Canada. I was told from a person who has lived here for several years that if you ask for a pay stub (paper showing all the taxes, pension, healthcare, deductions) that by law your emplyer is required to give you a hard copy or they have to email you a copy. The actual total that you have paid into the pension plan, I am not aware of that specific form. I asked for a paystub and got it 1 day later and everything was fine regarding my deductions. Hope I was able to help some, and good luck. For my information are you with a hogwon or a public school?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

kiwiluvesyew · Joined: 29 Apr 2008

I make 2.4 million a month and the contract I signed said that I should have 3.3% taken out for income tax. The information book they gave us when I got here said that the tax rate was 2.67% for 2.4 million, which they calculated as being 64,680 won. OK....
Then I got my receipt for my first month's pay and 44,290 was taken out on one line and 4,420 was taken out on the next line. When I asked what they were, they said those were "taxes". So a total of 48,710 in "income taxes", about 2.03% from what I calculated.
A total of 103,500 was taken out for my pension, which would be 4.5% IF I made 2.3 million a month, which I don't. The reason I mention that is that on my stub it has 2,300,000 on one line and then it adds 100,000 for a total of 2.4 million. What kind of scam they are running that they need to do that, I'm not sure of yet. But I know that they are cheating me of 5,500 won a month for my pension b/c I should have 108,000 taken out for my salary of 2.4 million, which would be matched by the employer (and of course I get it back at the end of the year). Would they really go through so much trouble to shaft me on 5,500 won a month?
I'm thinking more and more yes.
Of course they also tried to take 50,000 won out for a "maintenance fee" on my apartment. HAHAHAHAHAHA! Not in the contract, but their response is the typical "it's a normal Korean expense" and "no one's complained before". I'm still working on them. I said I need it back by Friday or I will just not pay any of my legit bills for 50,000 worth.

And all the while I've yet to get my ARC so all of this is in their pocket. My 2.4 million slowly turned into 2,197,790. This hakwon/hagwon has money coming out of it's ears!!! They're no where near financial trouble, and yet they are constantly trying to pull things. I guess that's how they got the money for the new Mercedes in Korea.

God I wish I had a Korean friend!!!!!!!!!

jadarite · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:16 am Post subject:

I got a "maintenance fee" too, they called it an administration cost. Mine is 30,000 won though (sweeping outside the apartment, water, etc...)

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Run!!! They are stealing from you. I am sure when you start asking too many questions you will be fired. They might already be looking for another teacher!! Shocked

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

ontheway · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:19 am Post subject:

You need to go to Immigration ASAP and get your Alien Registration Card ARC. It would be nice if your boss helped you, but it is up to YOU to go get it. You also need to get a health exam done and take that to Immigration.

Your employer cannot register you for health insurance or pension until you are legally registered with Immi and get your ARC.

So go do it.

Then you will find out if your boss honestly registers you.

You should get your health insurance card within a few weeks to a month after you provide your employer with a copy of the ARC and other documents.

Taxes only have to be paid in to the Government once or twice a year by your employer, so there is no way to check on them until one of these filing dates comes along.