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MollyBloom
Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Location: James Joyce's pants
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 Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:51 am Post subject: what do you do with no health insurance & pension? |
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There is this great job I am being offered, but the lady says there is no insurance and pension.
Her family are doctors, and she can get me cared for at the lowest cost if I need such assistance.
Now, besides this sounding kinda iffy...
In general, what do I do without a school paying half the insurance? Can I get free health care through one of the Seoul hospitals? How would I go about getting insurance somehow? Would it be expensive to pay for without any help by my employer?
How does the pension work with this situation?
Thanks a bunch! |
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BigBuds
Joined: 15 Sep 2005
Location: Changwon
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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Both are required by Korean Law. They, and you, have no choice i this matter. If you are found out not to be paying, both offices would want back payments as well.
You employer is trying to save some money, and in regards to pension, rip you off for quite a bit of money (if you are Canadian, American or British you are able to claim it back when you leave Korea. If you're Australian, Kiwi or South African you lose your money). |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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In general, what do I do without a school paying half the insurance? Can I get free health care through one of the Seoul hospitals? How would I go about getting insurance somehow? Would it be expensive to pay for without any help by my employer?
How does the pension work with this situation?
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1) You can join the health insurance program and pension plan yourself and pay both your share and the school's share.
2) I can see joining the health insurance program just in case you get hit by a bus or have some other major medical situation come up. There would be no practical reason for you to join the pension plan (unless you will be staying for several years).
3) I'm less convinced than you are that this is 'a great job'. The offer lacks two items, insurance and pension, that are pretty basic and standard. Clearly this boss is cutting corners. Are there other corners this boss will cut later? |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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It's a trade-off.
I've spent nearly four years working in hagwons and I've been very happy with the positions. But NO health insurance and no pension.
Turns out I've saved a lot of money by not paying my share of the health premiums: doctor and hospital treatment here can be ridiculously cheap. When I had an undiagnosed iron deciciency I went to the doctor with chest pains fearing a heart condition and he spent half an hour with me and ordered blood tests and an ECG. Back home this would have cost hundreds of dollars. In Korea? I paid twenty bucks (20,000 w). That's without health insurance! I have a few other examples too.
Wish I had pension, but (a) I at least had a hagwon that PAID me my full pay every month and full bonus, (b) my director like yours told me there was no pension with the position (unlike some who would lie through their teeth to get you to sign then suddenly back out of it).
So, all in all, if you're looking at a hagwon position, and everything is good, then don't sweat the lack of pension and health insurance. It is common practice, especially among smaller firms and mom&pop businesses not to pay it. It is NOT a sign of dishonesty or signal of problems to come. That's my main point.
Good luck whatever. |
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Grotto
Joined: 21 Mar 2004
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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Van I would be willing to bet your boss put your exam on his health card....a shady illegal tactic by hogwan owners!
Stand up for yourself...if you are from Canada or the States you are giving up over 1000$ a year by not getting your pension!
Health care and pension are mandatory! |
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BigBuds
Joined: 15 Sep 2005
Location: Changwon
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Grotto, the Brits get it too. It's just transferred to their pension account back home when they leave. Unfortunately for them, they don't get to see it till they retire. |
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huffdaddy
Joined: 25 Nov 2005
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: what do you do with no health insurance & pension? |
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| MollyBloom wrote: |
Her family are doctors, and she can get me cared for at the lowest cost if I need such assistance.
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Besides being a matter of legality, there's a serious conflict of interest. You can pretty much gaurentee that everything you tell her doctor-relative will go straight to her. And do you think they'll recommend you taking a few days off from work, if you're really sick? |
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MollyBloom
Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Location: James Joyce's pants
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Good point, huffdaddy. |
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bosintang
Joined: 01 Dec 2003
Location: In the pot with the rest of the mutts
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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Don't go without health insurance. First off, its unnecessary, and secondarily, if something serious happens to you you or your family will be in a lot of financial hot water.
If you really think this job is so great even though there's no health insurance and pension -- and I find that dubious -- buy full travel insurance before you come to Korea.
One more thing: Take care of yourself. Don't rely on anyone else.
Don't rely on your bosses connections or friends, co-workers, other foreign teachers, or anyone else to look out for your interests. In reality, if something serious happens to you, legally, medically, whatever, you will be on your own. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 6:02 am Post subject: |
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| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
1) You can join the health insurance program and pension plan yourself and pay both your share and the school's share.
2) I can see joining the health insurance program just in case you get hit by a bus or have some other major medical situation come up. There would be no practical reason for you to join the pension plan (unless you will be staying for several years). |
1) Not necessarily true. The pension office will not allow you to pay them directly. They will tell you to pay your boss , and they will get BOTH payments from the boss. This was told to me directly from the main dude in the head office (in Chamsil). I tried to pay my health insurance, too, but the NHIC people said the boss must enroll me (I cannot enroll myself). I was under the impression I could PAY for my insurance by myseldf, but I coul not ENROLL by myself.
2) Health insurance is not a choice. It's is mandatory for ALL foreign workers, regardless of parttime/fulltime status, salary, or number of employees in the school.
Pension (whether private or national) is mandatory for anyone working more than 80 hours a month. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:37 am Post subject: |
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Don't go without health insurance. First off, its unnecessary, and secondarily, if something serious happens to you you or your family will be in a lot of financial hot water.
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Plus, you've seen how these people drive- they view RED LIGHTS as optional at major intersections during rush hour. You are a pedestrian (aka, the pins to their bowling balls). Protect yourself in case of an accident.
CYA |
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