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National Pension Voluntary Continued Enrollment and Lump-Sum Refund Choice (국민연금 임의계속가입·반환일시금 선택): How to Apply, Amount & Eligibility (2026)

If you reach age 60 with less than 10 years of contributions, you can meet the pension requirement through voluntary continued enrollment until age 65

This page is a translation of the Korean original and is for reference only. The official Korean guidance is the authoritative source for amounts and conditions, so be sure to confirm on the official website before applying. View Korean original (한국어)

Benefit: If mandatory enrollment ends at age 60 with less than 10 years of contributions, you may either receive a lump-sum refund or apply for voluntary continued enrollment up to age 65 to secure pension rights. Lump-sum refund eligible age: born 1961-64 age 63; 1965-68 age 64; 1969 or later age 65.
Who is eligible: Persons aged 60 or older and under 65 who have not met 10 years of contributions (voluntary continued enrollment). Not eligible if already receiving a pension (old-age pension).
When to apply: Apply anytime after reaching age 60. Statute of limitations for claiming the lump-sum refund is 5 years.
How to apply: National Pension Service (국민연금공단) branch office, phone 1355, nps.or.kr.
Important notes: If you receive the lump-sum refund first, you cannot continue enrollment voluntarily. Consider also making retroactive payments (추후납부, 추납).
Note: You pay the full premium yourself (no employer contribution, unlike workplace subscribers). After receiving the lump-sum refund, that same period is not recognized as pension time.

Go to the official guide →

Based on official sources as of 2026년 10월. Amounts and requirements may change, so please confirm with the official guide before applying.

Frequently asked questions

National Pension Voluntary Continued Enrollment and Lump-Sum Refund Choice (국민연금 임의계속가입·반환일시금 선택): who can receive it?

Persons aged 60 or older and under 65 who have not met 10 years of contributions (voluntary continued enrollment). Not eligible if already receiving a pension (old-age pension).

National Pension Voluntary Continued Enrollment and Lump-Sum Refund Choice (국민연금 임의계속가입·반환일시금 선택): how do I apply?

National Pension Service (국민연금공단) branch office, phone 1355, nps.or.kr.

National Pension Voluntary Continued Enrollment and Lump-Sum Refund Choice (국민연금 임의계속가입·반환일시금 선택): how much will I receive?

If mandatory enrollment ends at age 60 with less than 10 years of contributions, you may either receive a lump-sum refund or apply for voluntary continued enrollment up to age 65 to secure pension rights. Lump-sum refund eligible age: born 1961-64 age 63; 1965-68 age 64; 1969 or later age 65.

National Pension Voluntary Continued Enrollment and Lump-Sum Refund Choice (국민연금 임의계속가입·반환일시금 선택): when can I apply?

Apply anytime after reaching age 60. Statute of limitations for claiming the lump-sum refund is 5 years.