Korean Job Discussion Forums

Sofa_King · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Location: South Korea

I'm looking for some advice regarding pension. Here's the deal...

Last year, my fiancee and I worked at a shady hogwan. It was our first year coming to Korea and unfortunately picked a bad school. The directer was always secretive about our pay and our questions on taxes and pensions were usually ignored. We did, however, force minimal paystubs out of her that showed where our deductions were. Now looking at the pay stubs, I can see that we did not pay anything into the national pension. We managed to complete our year long contract there and have since moved to Seoul and now work in the public system. Before we left, I typed up a letter that stated that we had completed our year long contract at the hogwan and had the director sign that paper.

Now, we are planning on leaving Korea and are getting ready to apply for our pension refund. Is it possible to go after our previous employer for pension that was not deducted from us? As of now, we are fully aware that we would need to pay our portion of the year long back payment. What would be the means for getting our pension? I'd rather not get a lawyer, but instead I'd like to do this through a government body. Finally, the academy is in Daegu and we are now in Seoul. Will this be a problem?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

seems kind of greedy to be going after it now! Contact the pension office and they will probably be able to tell you alot better than anyone here could!

Sofa_King · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Location: South Korea

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

Well....I wouldn't expect much to happen. You are a little late to take action.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

English service: 02-2240-1083/5

All you need is your ARC number. Your best bet is to go into your local pension office. I'm sure they'll be interested in pursuing your case since they'll make money off the late interest penalty. That is if you can actually claim all this now. I'm not really sure what they do in a case like yours. No harm in trying.

Anyway, call first and see what they have to say. Might be a little difficult on the phone though.

Search for your local office:

http://www.npc.or.kr/eng/enpc.html?code=./enpc/b01.html

riley · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: where creditors can find me

I had a situation that when I collected my pension, I learned that the first company hadn't paid pension for the last 3 months. The pension office was how I learned this fact. They took care of it for me and were very good. So, my advice would be to simply go in there and be surprised to find out that your first place didn't pay pension. Then let the pension office take over.

prairieboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Location: The batcave.

Was pension deducted from your pay? If not then there's nothing to collect.

By going to the Pension office you will alert them not only to the fact that your old boss didn't pay his 50% share of the pension premium but that your share was not paid either.

In which case, they may, may require you to pay your portion before they do anything.

If you paid then definately, get on it, especially if you are a Canadian or an American.

Otherwise leave it be because it could cause you just as much harm.

Good luck.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

If the pension office DOES take action...you will have to pay your share as well (as you pointed out), probably in a lump sum. The amount? 4.5% of your monthly salary*12 PLUS a possible late interest fee. If you have that sum of cash lying around, you might want to try it. Otherwise you could end up screwing yourself.

riley · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: where creditors can find me

TUM, read the post,

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Lois · Joined: 22 May 2006

It's not actually "a little too late" now, as stated by a previous poster...if you haven't left Korea for more than 2 months between your contracts in Daegu and Seoul, it wouldn't have even been possible to apply for the refund before now...if you stay for two or more years without a leave of at least 2 months in between, they just kind of "stockpile" your pension until you leave the country for "good," or at least 2 months.

The old school has to pay, once the pension office finds out, they will make them pay. Doesn't matter if it was deducted from your pay or not, it is the responsibility of a the institute to make sure tax payments and pension payments are made for all of their staff.