The answer in one sentence
It is difficult to generalize that “foreign nationals can receive a lifelong pension after enrolling for just one month.” A Ministry of Health and Welfare census found three foreign nationals or overseas Koreans who had one month of enrollment and made 119 months of retroactive contributions. Of these, only one was actually receiving an old-age pension: an overseas Korean who had continuously lived in Korea.
Background
Debate over the National Pension system for foreign nationals intensified after a case became known in which someone enrolled for one month and paid 119 months of retroactive contributions. However, the census identified only three people, and all three were found to have actually lived in Korea for most or all of the periods eligible for retroactive contributions.
The limited number of confirmed cases should be distinguished from the eligibility of all foreign National Pension enrollees.
Applications for retroactive contributions by foreign nationals have nevertheless increased. The number of applications rose from 530 in 2023 to 848 in 2024 and 1,517 in 2025. In the first half of 2026, 994 applications were filed. Of these, applications from ethnic Koreans from China accounted for 792, or 79.7%.
Key concepts
Retroactive contributions and the 120-month requirement
Retroactive contributions are a system that allows people to pay later for past periods when they were unable to pay premiums because of unemployment, a business suspension, a career interruption, or similar circumstances, thereby increasing their contribution period. In general, National Pension old-age benefits require the person to meet statutory conditions, including at least 10 years, or 120 months, of enrollment.
In December 2020, the National Assembly amended the National Pension Act to limit the period eligible for retroactive contributions to less than 10 years, or a maximum of 119 months. Therefore, the figure “119 months of retroactive contributions” alone does not automatically determine pension eligibility. Each individual’s payment amount, pension age, residence records, and the rules applicable to their nationality must also be reviewed.
Standards applicable to foreign nationals
The National Pension Act provides that reciprocity with the laws of a foreign national’s home country should be considered when determining coverage. Where a social security agreement exists, the agreement may take precedence over requirements concerning enrollment, premiums, and benefits. Individual determinations may vary depending on nationality, status of stay, residence records in Korea, whether a lump-sum refund was received, and other factors.
What it means now
Since August 31, 2026, the National Pension Service has begun reviewing the periods foreign nationals spent residing in Korea for retroactive-contribution eligibility based on actual residence in Korea, rather than simply the period during which they maintained a status of stay.
Under the new standard, applicants for retroactive contributions must submit proof of entry and exit in addition to documents proving marriage, where applicable. Only months in which the applicant stayed in Korea for at least 15 days are recognized as periods of actual residence.
The Office of the President said that on August 25, 2026, it received a report on the status of foreign nationals’ National Pension retroactive-contribution applications and possible improvements, and instructed officials to review the need to strengthen eligibility requirements by considering factors such as actual residence in Korea.
Points to check
- The three people identified in the census represent limited cases and should not be viewed as representative of the scale of all foreign National Pension enrollees.
- The expression “a lifelong pension after just one month of enrollment” is a generalization that omits individual payment amounts, pension age, residence records, and nationality-specific rules.
- Any proposal to extend reciprocity requirements to retroactive contributions should be distinguished from a proposal under consideration and an amendment that has been completed and put into effect.
- Actual eligibility may vary depending on nationality, status of stay, records of actual residence in Korea, whether a lump-sum refund was received, and applicable social security agreements.
Sources and verification time: September 2, 2026, 13:00:07.
[Yonhap News: Only 3 foreign nationals with ‘1 month of enrollment + 119 months of retroactive contributions’…1 actual recipient who resides in Korea](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260901172700530)
[Newsis: Three foreign nationals with “1 month of enrollment and 119 months of retroactive contributions”…only 1 actual recipient](https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20260902_0003772913)
[Republic of Korea Policy Briefing · Cheong Wa Dae: Written briefing on the results of the 37th Cabinet meeting](https://www.korea.kr/briefing/presidentView.do?newsId=148970597&pWise=sub&pWiseSub=C1)
[National Law Information Center: National Pension Act](https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=91426)
[Donga Ilbo: Report on 994 foreign-national retroactive-contribution applications in the first half of the year](https://www.donga.com/news/amp/all/20260828/134560522/2)