Korean Job Discussion Forums

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

So I get my paycheck today and I noticed the deductions were a bit light--they had only held out my medical insurance. I asked where my pension was and they said that since I'm American, neither they (nor I) contribute to the National Pension Scheme. I went round and round with my foreign wrangler, who assured me this was correct. After nearly an hour of heated "discussion," I told him that I would speak with GEPIK directly. I've just sent an email to the provincial office and am waiting for a reply.

My question is: Why on Earth would a PS try to pull this kind of thing? AND, if they end up not contributing (or even having me contribute) to the pension, what are my options as far as getting out of the contract? The contract is a standard GEPIK one, which states that they will contribute to the pension, and says nothing of Americans not being eligible.

I thought things were going so well until this little nugget came up. Any experiences or bits of advice are welcomed.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

That's sad because they are flat out trying to rip you off...it's not a mistake either, they know darn well you're supposed to get it. The letter to the office probably have them sorted already, though...whenever a foreign teacher sends a letter to them I have a sneaky suspicion they're on the phone the the school right away. Don't worry too much, but like I said, it's not a good sign.

gujer · Joined: 31 Jul 2007

Hi
Interesting .iPension is not taken off from me either?

hmmm
and I'm also at a public school.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

You can go straight to the school's Financial Office and direct them to the Finance Manual. It has a copy of the EPIK contract and the financial procedures to implement payments and deductions including the requirements for pension.

Alyallen · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:50 pm Post subject:

Didn't you just get there, Jizzo?

Damn...Abandon ship!

I'm American and I've contributed to my pension since my first pay check. My elementary school takes it out of my pay every month like clockwork. I fully intend on collecting every single won when I leave in January. Do not let them do that and if you do stay make sure that you are on them to contribute every single won that they are required by law to contribute.

Douchebags....

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

Thanks for the quick replies. In fact, I was told about this by the people in the financial office when I went to confront them about only paying me 2.2 when I'm a level 1 at 2.3. My wrangler got on the phone with GPOE and got that taken care of--they'll reimburse me next paycheck...but nothing was done to handle the pension problem.

I'll talk to the financial office again tomorrow, but don't expect much to happen. I guess I should give them the ultimatum if they don't take this seriously (how stupid do they think I am??), but I don't have any other job prospects and I just started to get adjusted to my school.

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

Wow, that sucks! Perhaps they got away wiith it last year due to the nationality of your predecessor..?

Take my job and my new apartment!

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

inkoreaforgood · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Location: Inchon

Just go talk to your local pension office about the issue, have them call up someone at your school and set them straight Laughing

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

The more I read the worse this sounds. Confused

The only deduction on my payslip was for approx. 53,000 won, which they said was for health insurance--no income tax either.

I talked with the lady at the provincial office and she said to tell them that they are required to contribute to pension, and that if they have any questions, tell them to call the pension office.

Incidentally, does anyone know the number to the pension office for Gyeonggi (Songtan)?

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

http://wiki.galbijim.com/National_Pension_Offices#Incheon_and_Gyeonggido_Province

Look at the following for pension offices in Korea.

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

Thanks, Whistleblower!

I'll update after I talk to the finance office tomorrow!

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

So I talked to the finance office and had the lady from the provincial office on the phone to translate (my liaison is on vacation). Here is what they said:

They are not holding my pension out because when I leave Korea I will get it back anyway, therefore there's no reason to withhold it every month--I'm getting it now instead of later.

When I told them that the employer is supposed to contribute half, they said that when I leave Korea I won't get the employer's contribution anyway, so "not to worry."

Is this true? I don't like the sound of this. I thought that when we leave Korea we are entitled to ALL of it--teacher's contribution + school's contribution. Apparently we're only entitled to what we ourselves contribute.

Any suggestions? Mad