Get your National Pension money back when you leave Korea 국민연금 반환일시금
If you paid into Korea's National Pension, you may get the money back in one payment when you leave Korea for good. This is called the lump-sum refund (반환일시금). You get your contributions plus interest, but only if your visa or your country qualifies.
Can I get this money?
Answer 2 quick questions.
Did you pay into the pension on an E-9, H-2 or E-8 (employment for training) visa?
Your visa alone is not enough, but your country may still qualify. Note: the seasonal worker E-8 visa (from 24 Dec 2019) does not count. Check your country on the NPS list (link in Sources) or call 1355.
Are you leaving Korea for good?
The refund is paid when you leave Korea permanently (or at age 60). If you are only travelling, you cannot claim it yet.
You can most likely claim. Some reciprocity countries also need a minimum insured period (for example Thailand, Laos, Bhutan: 1 year). Follow the steps below.
Your timeline
D = your flight day. Tap a point to jump to that step.
Step by step
Tick each item as you finish it. Your progress is saved on this device.
- 1
Make sure your company reports that you left
Your employerBefore your flightYour employer must report to NPS that you left the job. For airport cash, this must be done by the day before you fly.
!If the report is not done by the day before departure, you cannot get cash at the airport. - 2
Apply at an NPS office
You do thisWithin 1 month before your flightGo to any National Pension Service (NPS) branch in Korea with your documents and flight ticket. NPS accepts your claim before you leave, but pays only after your departure is confirmed.
- 3
Get cash at Incheon Airport (optional)
You do thisFlight day, weekdays onlyGo to the NPS booth in Terminal 1, 1st floor, between Exits 1 and 2 (Booths 7-8), 09:00 to 18:00. Go to Terminal 1 even if you fly from Terminal 2. Then visit the Woori Bank exchange before immigration and collect your cash in the duty-free area.
!Not on weekends, public holidays, or the last business day of December. Your flight must leave on a weekday, 10:30 to 24:00 (T1) or 11:00 to 24:00 (T2). Paid in foreign currency only, not Korean won. - 4
NPS sends the money
The agency does thisAfter NPS confirms you left KoreaIf you did not choose airport cash, NPS pays to the Korean or overseas account you gave.
- 5
Already left? Claim from abroad
You do thisWithin 5 yearsSend the documents to NPS by post, ask someone in Korea to apply for you, or, for some countries, apply through your home country's social insurance office.
!Foreigners cannot claim by phone or fax.
Documents checklist
How do you want to get paid? Pick one and the list changes to match.
Pick how you want to get paid to see only the documents you need.
- Lump-sum refund claim form (반환일시금 지급청구서)NPS office or NPS website (Korean HWP, English Word file)
- PassportYou
- Alien Registration CardYou (needed when you apply in Korea)
- Bank account proof in your name (bankbook copy or statement)Your bank
- Flight ticket leaving within 1 monthAirline or travel agency
- Overseas remittance form (해외송금신청서)NPS website or NPS office
How much will I get?
- The pension contributions paid for you, plus interest.
- For company workers, the employer's share is included.
- Interest uses the 3-year fixed deposit rate. The 2026 rate is 2.2%.
Missed the 5-year limit?
- After 5 years, the right to the lump sum expires.
- Your family can claim within 5 years after your death.
- Call NPS to check your case: 1355, or +82-63-713-6900 from abroad.
Who to call
Tap to call.