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Social security in South Korea 2026
The employee stack totals roughly 9.65%: national pension at 4.75% of monthly income up to KRW 6.37 million to June 2026, about KRW 6.59 million from July 2026, health insurance near 4% (including the long-term care add-on) up to a very high ceiling, and 0.9% unemployment insurance.
The pension rate is on a legislated climb — rising a quarter-point yearly as Korea shores up the fund.
At a glance
- top rate
- ≈9.65% of gross salary
- entry band
- From the first won
- tax year basis
- Monthly through payroll
- filing deadline
- Withheld and remitted by the employer
- residency basis
- Employment in Korea
- regime flag
- All contributions deductible from taxable income
Rates
Employee contributions (2026)
| Rate | Base | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 4.75% | Monthly income up to ≈ KRW 6.59 million (from July 2026; 6.37 million to June) | National pension — rate rising gradually under the 2025 reform |
| ≈4% | Monthly income up to KRW 127,725,730 | National health insurance including the 13.14% long-term-care add-on |
| 0.9% | Gross salary | Unemployment insurance |
Thresholds & allowances
- Pension income cap≈ KRW 6.59 million/month (from 1 July 2026)
Contributions stop above the ceiling, which indexes annually (chapter formatting corrected)
- DeductibilityFull
Pension, health and unemployment contributions all reduce taxable income
- Inhabitant payroll chargesEmployer-side
Per-capita and payroll-based inhabitant taxes fall on employers and business places
Residency
Residency trigger
Korean employment brings enrolment in the four social insurances with employer matching; the employer also carries industrial-accident cover alone.
Non-resident treatment
Totalization agreements with many countries (including the United States) prevent double pension coverage for assignees.
Notes
- The employer matches pension and health and pays more for unemployment and accident insurance — outside this page's scope.
- The 2025 pension reform lifts the combined pension rate stepwise toward 13% — employee shares rise 0.25 points a year.
- The health ceiling is so high (over KRW 127 million a month) that health contributions behave as uncapped for nearly everyone.
- Regional (non-employee) subscribers pay health premiums computed on income and assets.
FAQ
What does an employee pay in South Korea?
About 9.65% — 4.75% pension (capped near KRW 6.59 million of monthly income from July 2026), roughly 4% health with long-term care, and 0.9% unemployment — all deductible.
Is the pension rate rising?
Yes — the 2025 reform lifts the combined rate gradually (employee share up 0.25 points yearly, at 4.75% for 2026) to secure the fund's viability.
Figures: tax year 2026, compiled from public sources. Not tax advice.