Can I get my Korean pension money back when I leave?

Yes, if your country does not have a pension treaty with Korea (or the treaty allows it), you can claim a lump-sum refund of your contributions within 3 years of leaving.

How much pension refund will I get?

You receive your total employee contributions plus a small amount of interest. The employer's matching contribution is NOT refunded — it stays in the NPS fund.

Which countries have pension treaties with Korea?

Countries with treaties include the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, and others. Citizens of these countries may not be eligible for a lump-sum refund but can transfer credits.

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Foreigners Leaving Korea

Pension Refund Calculator

Estimate your National Pension lump-sum refund when you leave Korea.

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Monthly Salary ₩3,000,000 /mo

만원 (₩10K) /mo

Months Worked in Korea

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📖 About National Pension Refund

Foreign workers in Korea pay into the National Pension System (NPS) at a rate of 4.75% of their monthly salary (2026 rate). When you leave Korea permanently, you can request a lump-sum refund of your employee contributions plus accrued interest.

Important: Only YOUR contributions (employee portion) are refunded. The employer's matching 4.75% stays in the NPS fund and is not refunded.

The monthly contribution cap is based on a maximum standard monthly income of ₩6,590,000 (applies July 2026 – June 2027). If your salary exceeds this, pension contributions are calculated based on the cap.

✓Updated for 2026Last reviewed October 6, 2026See what changed

Written and reviewed by Taeyang Kim · Rates and thresholds are taken directly from the official notices of Korea's National Tax Service, National Pension Service, National Health Insurance Service, Ministry of Employment and Labor, and Minimum Wage Commission. Results are non-binding estimates for reference only and may differ from the actual amount depending on your circumstances. Found a mistake? Tell us through Contact.