Korean Job Discussion Forums

[.res.ipsa.loquitor]

While I suspect I know the answer to the above question, please do answer, as some people at my brand new school are uncertain about the rules and regulations governing foreign workers. Please only answer if you are on an E2 Visa.

[DosEquisXX]

Just pension.

[tzechuk]

Both.. I work at a uni - things get deducted.

[OculisOrbis]

if they are just deducting pension, it's likely going into to your employers pocket instead of your pension account. pension and health are two of the few government offices that are linked. call pension, give them you ARC#, ask for your pension balance and ask what salary your employer enrolled you under (chances are they are under-reporting your salary - if you're even enrolled).

[Young FRANKenstein]

[.res.ipsa.loquitor]

Is there any legal alternative to the national health plan? Literature I've read says that all foreigners are required to be registered with the national health plan. My employer suggested that there is private "travel" insurance which costs 150,000 total for the whole year. [/b]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[OculisOrbis]

you can carry supplemental insurance over and above the national plan, but the national plan is always required.

[scorpiocandy]

I only pay the Health Insurance. Pension not compulsory for me since I'm South African.

[.res.ipsa.loquitor]

Thank you for all the responses! This is very helpful.

So can anyone confirm or deny that pension is compulsory for Canadians? And how can I check my balance online to see if it has been paid?

Thanks.

[scorpiocandy]

http://www.npc.or.kr/jsppage/english/main.jsp

Check this website. There's a link that says "Social Security Agreement" and Canada is on that list. So if you're Canadian you'd have to pay into the National Pension Fund. You can later claim whatever contributions that you and your employer made throughout the year. So you get your money back (and then some)

The reason why I don't have to pay is because SA and Korea have no such agreement and you'll see we're not on that list.

Of course since I'm not Canadian I speak under correction, but this is the inofrmation that I have.

[.res.ipsa.loquitor]

Thanks. that's very helpful. Are there any fellow Canadians out there who are not paying pension? If so, why?

[socratesocks]

I've been here for 4 months and my school takes out neither pension or insurance. Frankly, I'd rather not have insurance, the doctors here are cheap enough without it and I lived in the US without insurance for the past 4 years which is far larger risk. However, I'd really like to get my pension set up. I haven't really confronted my hogwon because I don't like to start something without a little ammo. I just looked at my contract which doesn't mention pension (spare me the, "How could you sign a contract without pension?!?!!?! We all make mistakes). Am I still entitled to pension? If I am, where can I find legal citations for this claim? Can I get pension without paying for insurance? Thanks.

[.res.ipsa.loquitor]

No, the pension and national medical are linked. You can't have one without the other. It really is a good plan (the medical), since it covers major emergencies, that could cause you serious financial hardship.

Check here for more info:

http://www.nps.or.kr/

[TheUrbanMyth]