Korean Job Discussion Forums

[qwerty123]

I know that SMOE covers 50% of my health insurance. Anyone know what it costs out of pocket along with what's covered vs. not covered? Also, what are average utilities on a monthly basis?

[Big Mac]

I don't have the exact figure with me but from memory I think you pay about 2.2 per cent of your monthly salary to health insurance. Your employer matches that.

Pension is 4.5 per cent of your monthly salary, but your employer also matches that and you can get all of it back from the pension office when you leave Korea if you are American, Canadian or Australian.

Tax is usually below 2 per cent, but the figure changes depending on your salary.

For utilities:

Electricity is usually about 10,000 Won a month, but if you run your air conditioner in the summer it will be more like 50,000 Won. Pretty cheap.

Gas depends on if your apartment is equipped with natural gas or LPG. The LPG apartments are significantly more expensive, which I found out the hard way. In the winter, a natural gas apartment will cost you about 40,000 to 50,000 Won a month and in the summer about 5,000 Won. An LPG apartment will cost you around 200,000 Won a month in the winter and about 35,000 Won a month in summer. If you have an LPG apartment buy a space heater and use the electricity instead and it will lower your gas costs.

Internet is usually between 30,000-35,000 Won a month, depending on your internet provider.

Cable is 5,500 a month.

Phone is usually less than 10,000 Won a month for me, but that's because I only use it for local calls. I would suggest using Skype for overseas calls (2 cents a minute or free for computer to computer) over the internet, then you won't have to pay much for your phone.

Cell phone...I don't use mine much. I have a card phone and put about 30,000 Won on it every few months.

[qwerty123]

Thanks! This is extremely helpful in helping me gauge what my fixed expenses will be.