- When you leave Korea for good, you may get your pension contributions back as a lump-sum refund (반환일시금).
- The refund includes your share and your employer's share, plus interest.
- Eligibility depends on your nationality and, for some workers, your visa.
- Claim within 5 years of leaving.
Who qualifies
You can usually get a refund if any one of these applies:
- Your home country gives Koreans the same kind of refund (reciprocity).
- Your country has a social security agreement with Korea that includes a refund.
- You joined on an E-8 (training employment), E-9 (non-professional employment) or H-2 (working visit) visa — these holders qualify regardless of nationality. The seasonal-worker E-8 created after December 2019 is not included.
How much you get back
The refund is the total contributions paid for you — employee and employer shares together — plus interest. In 2026 the combined rate is 9.5% of your monthly income.
- Monthly income ₩3,000,000 × 9.5% = ₩285,000 paid into the pension each month (₩142,500 from you, ₩142,500 from your employer).
- Two years at that level = about ₩6.84 million, plus interest.
How to claim
- Before you leave: visit an NPS branch up to one month before departure with your passport, alien registration card, flight ticket and bank account details. You can receive the money in your home-country account, or in a Korean account.
- At the airport: if you apply in advance at a branch, you can collect the refund in foreign currency at Incheon Airport on your departure day (not on weekends, public holidays or the last business day of the year).
- After you leave: you can still claim from abroad by post or through a Korean embassy, within five years.
Things to know
- The refund is paid only once your departure is confirmed (or with proof you will leave within a month).
- If you come back to work in Korea later, your earlier period is not counted again once refunded.
- Health and employment insurance are separate and are not refunded.
FAQ
Can US citizens get a refund?
The Korea–US agreement counts your Korean years toward US Social Security instead of paying a refund, so US citizens generally do not get a lump sum. Check with NPS for your situation.
I am on an E-7 or F visa. Can I still get a refund?
It depends on your nationality: if your country has reciprocity or a refund-type agreement with Korea, yes. The visa-based route only covers E-8, E-9 and H-2.
Is the refund taxed?
The lump-sum refund itself is generally not subject to Korean income tax when paid on leaving the country, but rules can change, so check the statement NPS gives you.
Sources: NPS: benefits for foreigners (Korean) · Foreigner pension refund guide (Glasswallet)