Korean Job Discussion Forums

[deeluvskitties]

I am born and raised in Canada, but I'm here on a British passport. At the time when I got the passport (1997) it was just easier and a little cheaper. I just started a new job and was told that I don't get my pension back because there is no agreement between the British and Korean governments. But I was told that the British government has a plan that they will pay you the same amount when you finish in Korea. Has anyone else heard of this? And also, does anyone know if I will be able to apply to this program since I have only lived in England for about 5 months back in 2002 (but I do have a National Insurance Number)?
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[peppermint]

I read up on the pension program a little while ago and my understanding is that Brits get the money paid in added on to the money they'll get from the U.K. government when they actually retire.

[chotaerang]

I'm in almost the same boat. I suggest you follow the 'pension recovery plan' I've set out: Get a Canadian passport when you next visit Canada and use it when you go to the pension office to pick up your dough.

Peppermint, any idea what the go is with Irish citizens?

[keithinkorea]

It is confusing. Britons have a 'contributions only' agreement which means that you are effectively making 'National Insurance' payments while you're working here. Most importantly call the pension office and make sure your boss is making those pension payments otherwise it'll go into his pocket and not yours, a lot of Korean boss types will pocket that money.

Call the NPC on 1355, sometimes you will get an English speaker but it doesn't always happen. If you check then it is good and he-she is paying in you may get it back. Your boss might be pocketing the money, it is by no means unheard of. All you need to do is call them give them your ARC number and they'll tell you the balance, easy.

OK you have a British passport, but do you have a national insurance number? This is the number that lets the Britsih government tracks your contributions.

Personally If I had a dual citizenship thing I'd use an American or Canadian passport, then as long as it is paid in -whoever you are check this one- if you use these passports you can claim it back on leaving the country.

There is an agreement, it is just a 'contributions only' there is an agreement, it's just not as good as what the US and Canadian folks get. They're making you pay and they're probably not paying it. Get on their case and check with the NPC heroes
I know a few people who got loads of money back off a cheeky guy.

[Cymro]

I'm not sure you'll ever see the money again.

As a fellow Brit, I was told by the National Pension Corp. that Koreans working in the UK have to pay-up and don't get it back, thus Korea returns the favor.