Korean Job Discussion Forums

hakwonner · Joined: 09 Nov 2010

Not been in my job too long, so I would appreciate it if you guys could look at this breakdown of my salary deductions and tell me if you think it sounds normal to you...

Income Tax 3.3% : 69,300

Social Security: 4,500

Internet: 32,690

Gas: 8,160

Electricity: 18,840

Phone: 2,807

'Building maintenance fee' : 20,000

Cable TV: 6,600

Total: 162,897

just seems like a lot to come out of my salary, so I'm wondering if looks normal.

oh by the way I'm not paying med insurance. to be fair to my boss, she said I can do it if I want and it will be 40,000/month if I do.

thanks... Very Happy

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the ireland · Joined: 11 May 2008 Location: korea

mmstyle · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: wherever

Yeah, the Ireland is right....looks like your director is not on the up and up. You should be paying health insurance and pension. You need to call both of them and talk to them about this. If he does start deducting them, I would recommend you follow up with both agencies and make sure he is actually depositing them, as well. You don't want to find out at the end and be scrambling....or paying full boat if you have to go tot he hospital, or have it all come out in one lump sum after 6 months (that hurts, even though it would have been coming out all along).

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

I'm not going to start the independent contractor legality debate again...

But yes, it looks like you've been signed up as an independent contractor.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that this is one of your first jobs out of college. I say this because I was shocked at how much money I lost at my first job when I got my first pay check. (in America...taxes are ridiculous!)

Here is what you do. Look at your contract. Does it mention you as an employee? If so, tell your director that you want medical insurance. (even if it doesn't tell him anyway) And yes, YOU DO WANT MEDICAL INSURANCE. It is cheap and good here. Don't risk sticking your family with a huge bill if God forbid something bad happens while you're here. And make sure he enrolls you in the NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, not a private insurance plan.

Then tell him that you want to be enrolled in the national pension plan. Why? Because you get free money. Do you like getting money for free? Yes? Me too.

Oh, how is it free? Well, you have to contribute a little bit of money every month. But guess what, your boss has to match that small contribution too. Then before you go home, you can get it all back. But you get to keep his contributions as well! So you get free money. Pretty sweet huh?

Also, if you are an employee, not an independent contractor, your tax will be lower (around 2.7% or even lower as already mentioned) This plus the free money will basically make your insurance for free.

However, you will have to back pay for every month you have been here with your ARC. But seriously, do it now. It is well worth it. I had laser surgery done on my nasal canal so I can breath better while I sleep. It cost me 5,000W. In America we get $5.00 sandwiches at Subway, here we get $5.00 surgery. Do it!