Korea’s National Pension pays each month’s amount on the 25th. The first and last months are fixed by law too: from the month after the qualifying event to the month in which the right ends. So when a pensioner dies, some benefit may remain unpaid, and the family must claim it within 5 years. We read articles 54 and 55 of the National Pension Act as written.
1. The 25th of each month, for that month. If the 25th is a Saturday or public holiday, it is paid the day before (art. 54(2)).
2. From the next month, to the month the right ends. Payment runs from the month after the day the ground arose to the month containing the day the right ends (art. 54(1)).
3. Benefits left unpaid at death are claimed by the family. In order: spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, grandparents, siblings — and the claim must be made within 5 years of the death (art. 55).
From when to when — art. 54
Paragraph 1 A pension shall be paid from the month after the month containing the day the ground for payment arose … to the month containing the day the right is extinguished.
Paragraph 2 A pension shall be paid on the 25th of each month for that month; if that day is a Saturday or public holiday, it shall be paid the day before. …
Paragraph 3 Where a ground for suspension arises, the pension shall not be paid from the month after that ground arose to the month in which it ceases.
| Situation (our example) | Rule | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Ground arises on 10 March | From the month after | From the April amount (first paid 25 April) |
| Pensioner dies on 3 August | To the month the right ends | Up to the August amount |
| The 25th falls on a Saturday | Paid the day before | The 24th (Friday) |
The dates are our examples. Where the ground arises from repaying a refund, catch-up contributions or arrears, it runs from the month after “the day that amount was paid” (bracket in para. 1). Where the right ends or is suspended, payment may be made before the usual date (proviso to para. 2).
Benefits left at death — art. 55
In the example, the August amount is due but there is no one to receive it on the 25th. Benefit that should be paid but has not yet been is the “unpaid benefit.”
| Order | Who may claim | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spouse | Not those excluded by Decree, such as people who left home or are missing |
| 2 | Children | |
| 3 | Parents | |
| 4 | Grandchildren | |
| 5 | Grandparents | |
| 6 | Siblings | Only those whose livelihood was maintained by the pensioner at death |
- It must be claimed — it is paid “on the claim of” those relatives (para. 1).
- Equal shares where two or more rank equally (para. 2).
- Five years — “shall be claimed within 5 years of the day the pensioner died” (para. 3).
This is different money from a survivor’s pension or death lump sum. Unpaid benefit is what the deceased was already entitled to while alive; the survivor’s pension and death lump sum arise from the death — see National Pension death lump sum. The lump sum’s order reaches relatives within the fourth degree, while unpaid benefit stops at siblings.
Checklist
- ☐ Payment day is the 25th (the day before on weekends and holidays)
- ☐ The first pension is for the month after the ground arose
- ☐ After a death in the family, ask the Service whether benefit remains unpaid
- ☐ Claim within 5 years of the death
- ☐ Report the death within one month — see birth and death report deadlines
Questions that remain
What if the pension for the month of death was already paid?
Article 54(1) pays “to the month containing the day the right is extinguished,” so the month of death is payable. Amounts paid for later months may be recovered (art. 57), so tell the Service.
Can a son- or daughter-in-law claim?
Article 55(1) lists spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, grandparents and siblings. Anyone not on the list reads as unable to claim under this article (our reading).
Sources
- National Pension Act [in force 17 Jun 2026] [Act No. 21203] — original text (checked 2 October 2026). Article 54 (from the next month, to the month the right ends, the 25th, the day before, suspension), article 55 (unpaid benefits, order, equal shares, 5 years) and article 57 (recovery).
- Our own working. The 10 March, 3 August and Saturday examples are ours.
Where to check further
- Claims — a National Pension Service branch or call centre.
- Survivor’s pension — split and survivor’s pensions.
Written on 2 October 2026. Articles are from the National Law Information Center; the tables and examples are ours.
