Key summary
National Pension, Health, Employment, and Industrial Accident insurance — 2026 contribution rates, coverage, and what changes when you leave employment.
Read a Korean payslip as separate lines: gross salary, social insurance, national income tax and local income tax. The four insurance systems have different coverage rules; a foreign employee should not assume that every rate applies automatically.
2026 workplace rates at a glance
| Insurance | Employee share | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| National Pension | 4.75% of the applicable standard monthly income | Coverage, caps and social-security agreement |
| Health Insurance | 3.595% of remuneration basis | Registered remuneration and separate non-salary assessments |
| Long-term Care | 13.14% of health-insurance premium | About 0.472% of remuneration for a covered employee; rounding and exemptions matter |
| Employment Insurance | 0.9% where applicable | Visa, coverage and benefits eligibility |
| Industrial Accident Insurance | No employee premium | Employer-funded; industry rates vary |
Adding the uncapped employee percentages gives roughly 9.7%, but that is not a universal payroll deduction. Each scheme has its own base, coverage and rounding. Income tax is additional and is not part of that sum.
Questions to ask before your first payslip
- Which schemes cover my employment and nationality or visa category?
- Does a social-security agreement or certificate change pension coverage?
- Which pay items and monthly caps are used for each premium?
- Are national and local income tax shown separately from insurance?
National Pension provides old-age, disability and survivor benefits subject to conditions; the old-age commencement age depends on birth year. Health insurance covers eligible treatment with patient payments and exclusions. Employment insurance benefits require their own contribution and claim conditions. Industrial accident cover concerns work-related injury or illness.
When you leave a job
Ask for your workplace-coverage end date, dependent-coverage options and the first regional health-insurance bill. Qualifying former employees can compare voluntary continuation with regional premiums. The application deadline is tied to the first regional bill's payment due date plus two months, not simply the resignation date. See the detailed guide before choosing.
Official references and related help
- NPS 2026 contribution-rate explanation (Korean)
- MOHW 2026 health rate decision (Korean)
- MOHW 2026 long-term-care rate decision (Korean)
- National Pension Service (English) — coverage and agreements.
- NHIS (English) — membership and premium enquiries.
- Health insurance after leaving employment
- Compare income-tax methods separately
- Korea take-home salary estimate (English; standard coverage assumptions)
Sources and method
Use the dated sources and assumptions stated in this guide. An illustration is not an employer promise, tax assessment or investment forecast. Personal eligibility and the applicable income year need separate checks.
Methods, official resources and help →Use this guide
Read modeled insurance and tax as separate lines. Confirm whether standard coverage applies to you.
Estimate Korean take-home pay →Share this guide
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