Korean Job Discussion Forums

[noraleen]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I searched the threads and came up with nothing.

How do I apply for my pension refund now that I am back in Canada? (Long story, I couldn't apply while I was in Korea).

[Big Mac]

You can apply for a refund through the government of Canada. The department responsible is Social Development Canada, formerly HRDC. When you call that department you have to ask for the International Benefits Office. Sorry, I don't have the numbers.

Just be forewarned...this will take a very long time. I applied through them and they told me that they wouldn't even look at my application for over a year. It's ridiculously slow. In the end I didn't even get my refund because I went back to Korea before they were able to process my application.

EDIT: I just found the number for the International Benefits Office. It is an Ottawa number: 613-957-1954. Ask them to mail you the application form for a lump sum pension refund under the social security agreement between Korea and Canada. They'll send you the same form you would have filled out in Korea. Here is the address, if you want to do it by mail:

Director, International Operations
Income Security Programs
Social Development Canada
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0L4

[laogaiguk]

I've seen on this site before that people just leave a forward address and bank info here in Korea and they will put the money in when you show them proof you are gone and not working (about a month or two later). This could be false, people make up crap all the time on this site, but just thought I would say.

[ttompatz]

[laogaiguk]