Korean Job Discussion Forums

[turtlepi1]

[prosodic]

[turtlepi1]

Just making sure I wasn't missing something...

[babtangee]

You're all going to jail - or should I say "gaol"

[harryh]

I'm British and I have just secured a new teaching position in Korea. I have had a discussion with my new boss with regards to the korean health insurance plan and the korean pension scheme (at the interview and signing of the contract). He tells me that the authorities have tightened up on regulations and that I will have to pay into both Korean schemes).

In my last two contracts I didn't pay towards these. One reason is that I think my previous bosses didn't want to pay into these schemes, for the usual 'save money because I'm a poor Hagwon boss' reasons or whatever.

In a nutshell, I didn't think it was a problem, as:

a) I have an Ex-pats worldwide health insurance plan through a UK company which is quite comprehensive.

b) I make voluntary NI contributions (Class 3)

What should be my plan for the coming year?

Stop making voluntary contributions (for pension) directly to the UK and switch to a korean plan?

With regards to health insurance, it seems a little bit more confusing. In my first year, I took up the korean National Health Insurance Plan. When I moved jobs, the new employer didn't, and didn't want to pay into this plan 50/50. After four months of reminding him about the plan, I thought 'sod it-I'll get my own Ex-pat health insurance, which I did, and continue to do so.

If I chose not to renew my Ex-pat health insurance, what could happen if I sign back up with the Korean plan? Would they want back payments, even though I was insured and paid into the UK NI scheme?

For more information, I've provided my working and insurance history in korea:

Oct 02 - Sept 03 Geoje (Korean health plan, UK voluntary NI contributions)
Oct 03 - March 04 Geoje (Ex-pat health plan, UK NI contributions)
April 04 - June 05 Jinhae (Ex-pat health plan, UK NI contributions)

I left Korea on June 29th and returned on September 18th(currently on a tourist visa until E-2 visa has been processed, which should be ready at the beginning of Oct)

Any comments will be appreciated

[slap it]

if you have an expat health insurance plan, you don't have to sign up for the korean health insurance. be careful about signing up for the korean insurance plan if you are thinking about it. the office may ask for back payments of all the months you've been in korea. sounds a bit nuts but i've heard of this happening.

[Penelope]

Do you get your pension back if you leave your contract early, plan on leaving the country and have a release letter plus 6 weeks notice?

[peppermint]

Getting your pension isn't in anyway tied to the contract and wether or not you finish. Just bring a one way ticket showing that you'll be leaving Korea to the pension office and they should have the necessary forms