Korean Job Discussion Forums

bulldogbill · Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Location: Seoul

Australia signed a mutual pension treaty with South Korea in 2008, and as a result I was able to make a claim for a lump sum payment of my pension contributions when I turned 60.
It was a convoluted process but I recently received a bank deposit...problem is it only covers the 1 year I was employed by Berlitz in Seoul, and not the 2 years at a Hagwan in Cheongju...the NPS says they have no record of that employment...
Has anybody struck this problem before, and if so, how do I handle it?
I know the Hagwan has changed hands, so would I ask NPS to pursue the former owner, or the Hagwan??

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

air76 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007

I would imagine that a very very small percentage of hagwons actually pay into the pension system for their employees. My guess is that you're SOL.

World Traveler · Joined: 29 May 2009

How could it be a very very small percentage if they are legally required to do this?

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

air76 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007

soohak · Joined: 11 Sep 2007

You can always check the status of your pension payments at http://www.nps.or.kr/ and verify that your employer is actually making the payments.

Unfortunately, the English version of the site, as usual in Korea, is useless, so you'll need to be able to read Korean or get someone to help you. You can login without creating an account (비회원), just using your name, alien registration number, and a banking certificate. Once you're logged in go under 개인서비스, 조회, and 보험료 납부내역(개인) and you'll find detailed information on what's been paid into your account.

Radius · Joined: 20 Dec 2009

my home country is the usa, can i get the pension refund???

mugen13 · Joined: 25 Mar 2010

That comment about termination in the 11 month sounds scary as I am in my tenth month.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

peppermint · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 2:16 pm Post subject:

A few years ago, when I asked for a copy of my K- tax records at the tax office, I discovered that one of my employers had been taking taxes from me and not reporting it. Last I heard, the hagwon was getting investigated for tax fraud. It didn't help me any, but revenge really does taste rather sweet. Twisted Evil

Perhaps there's a similar recourse for pension?

Alaskaman · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Location: Bundang-Gu, South Korea

When I first came to Korea, I worked at the famous, "Wonderland". Not knowing anything about the system really. I worked my year and then was out with a mate and asked me if I got my pension money. I said, what is that? He explained it to me. Went back to the school and was told that they don't have to pay for that as I am an independent contractor. E-2 does not = independent. So I went to the Pension office and was told that if I paid the money that I was suppost to pay them up front that they will get the rest of the money from the school. I did that the same day. About 30 days later my old owner called me up yelling and screaming saying that I ruined his name and that he would take me to court. Long story short, got my money he got finded a hefty one too. Additonally, I was told that you have up to 3 years to do the same after you leave a school. But again, you have to pay the money that you were suppost to pay the pension fund up front and in full.

PM me if you need any more information or help