The duty to pay into Korea’s National Pension ends at 60, but you can keep paying until 65 if you choose. That’s voluntary continued membership under Article 13 of the National Pension Act. Someone who has been a member can apply to the NPS on turning 60 and joins on the day the application is accepted. Excluded are people who never paid contributions, are receiving an old-age pension, or took a lump-sum refund. You can leave at any time by applying.
1. Members or former members who turn 60 can apply to continue until 65.
2. Excluded: never paid, receiving an old-age pension, took a lump-sum refund.
3. Leave any time by applying; prolonged arrears end membership.
Who — Art. 13(1)
| Type | What the source says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Item 1 | A member or former member who has turned 60 | Apply before 65 |
| Excluded | (a) never paid contributions; (b) receiving an old-age pension; (c) took a lump-sum refund on reaching 60 etc. (Art. 77(1)1) | — |
| Item 2 | People insured for three-fifths or more of their membership in special occupations who have earned but aren’t drawing an old-age pension | Occupations set by Decree |
| Start | The day the application is accepted | — |
Leaving or losing it — paras. 2–3
| Type | What the source says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving | Apply to the NPS | — |
| Loss 1 | The day after death | — |
| Loss 2 | The day after losing nationality or emigrating | — |
| Loss 3 | The day after the withdrawal is accepted — or, if wished, the end of the last paid month if that is earlier | — |
| Loss 4 | The day after arrears for a period set by Decree | Period in the Decree |
When membership ends — our example
| If (our example) | Membership ends | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Emigrates on 10 March | 11 March | The “next day” rule |
| Withdrawal accepted 20 May, last contribution for April | 30 April if wished, otherwise 21 May | Para. 3 proviso |
| Keeps missing contributions | The day after the Decree period runs out | Period not read |
Paragraph 3 ends membership on the day after the event. On withdrawal you can end it at the close of the last month already paid, so paid months and membership line up (our reading). The dates are our example.
Before applying — our summary
The three exclusions all describe people already settled with the pension — never paid, already drawing, or refunded. So at 60 you first decide whether to draw the old-age pension now or keep paying to 65; once you start drawing, this route closes (our reading). Deferring is compared in early versus deferred pension.
Other ways to add membership (back-payment, credits) are in ways to raise your pension; joining without a past membership in voluntary membership. The 2026 contribution rate of 9.5% is checked in back-payment.
Checklist
- ☐ Turned 60 and under 65
- ☐ Ever paid a contribution
- ☐ Not drawing an old-age pension
- ☐ No lump-sum refund taken
- ☐ Arrears end membership
Questions that remain
Does it help if I have under 10 years?
The article sets eligibility, not effects. Check pension conditions in national pension basics; continuing membership to 65 is the point of the scheme (our reading).
How much are contributions?
Article 13 doesn’t set amounts; ask the NPS.
Sources
- Korean law database (law.go.kr) — National Pension Act Art. 13 — source (current text, effective 1 January 2026, Act No. 21203; checked 19 October 2026). Eligibility and three exclusions, special occupations, start date, leaving, four grounds for loss.
- Not read. The Decree’s occupations and arrears period; contribution amounts.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean everyday gloss.
Where to check further
- National Pension Service — applying and contributions.
Written on 19 October 2026. The content is from the source; the glosses are ours.
