FinanceDecember 22, 2024 • 15 min read

National vs Private Pension: Complete Analysis

Which pension gives you more after 30 years? We compare with real numbers.

1. Key Differences Between Pensions

Pensions are key to retirement planning! Can you rely on national pension alone? Is private pension necessary? Understanding the fundamental differences helps you make smarter choices.

CategoryNational PensionPrivate Pension
EnrollmentMandatory (employees)Voluntary
Contribution9% of salary (4.5% self)Up to 18M KRW/year
Return Rate~1-2% (low)3-7% (variable)
Tax BenefitContribution deductionUp to 1.485M KRW/year
When to ReceiveFrom age 65From age 55

2. 30-Year Compound Effect Simulation

Let's calculate expected pension for Employee A (35 years old, 4M KRW monthly salary) over 30 years.

📊 Simulation Conditions

  • Current age: 35
  • Monthly income: 4M KRW
  • National pension: 180K KRW/month
  • Private pension: 300K KRW/month additional
  • Contribution period: 30 years

National Only

~980K KRW/month

  • Total paid: 64.8M KRW
  • Start receiving: age 65
  • Replacement rate: ~24.5%

National + Private

~1.87M KRW/month

  • Total paid: 172.8M KRW
  • Private savings: ~180M KRW
  • Replacement rate: ~47%
💡OECD recommends 70% replacement rate. National pension alone is insufficient!

3. Tax Benefit Analysis

The biggest advantage of private pension is the tax credit. You can get back up to 1.485M KRW depending on your salary.

Annual SalaryCredit RateMax Credit (Pension)Max Credit (with IRP)
≤55M KRW16.5%66만원148.5만원
>55M KRW13.2%52.8만원118.8만원

4. 5-Step Optimal Pension Strategy

1

Maintain National Pension

National pension is the best insurance against longevity risk.

2

Fill Pension Savings First

Get tax credits up to 4M KRW annually.

3

Additional IRP Contribution

Get additional tax credits up to 7M KRW.

4

Diversify Receiving Timing

Private pension from 55, national from 65 to cover the gap.

5

Regular Review

Review and adjust your pension portfolio at least annually.

5. Calculate Your Pension

Use the calculators below to plan your personalized pension strategy.