Korea - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Korea and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Korea and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Korea or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of Korea came into force on May 1, 1999.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Korean pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Korea, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Korean old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Korean survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Korean benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Korea will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Korea's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan and the Old Age Security program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider periods credited under the pension program of Korea as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension because you have not lived in Canada for the minimum number of years, Canada will consider periods credited under the pension program of Korea since January 1, 1988, as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada’s international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
Korean benefits
The Korean pension program, known as the National Pension Scheme, is similar to the Canada Pension Plan and covers most employed persons from the Korean private sector and self-employed persons in Korea.
If you (or your deceased spouse or parent) left Korea before January 1, 1988, the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Korea cannot help you qualify for benefits.
Nor can the Agreement help if you (or your deceased spouse or parent) left Korea after January 1, 1988, but never contributed to the National Pension Scheme while in Korea.
To qualify for a benefit under the Korean pension program, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum period.
If you have not contributed to the program for the minimum period, to qualify for a Korean benefit under the Agreement, Korea will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan as credited periods under the pension program of Korea.
Apply
Print and complete one of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Public pensions.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Korean benefits:
- Korea/Canada Agreement - Application for Korean Old Age benefit (CAN-KOR 1 OA)
- Korea/Canada Agreement - Application for Korean Disability benefit (CAN-KOR 1 D)
- Korea/Canada Agreement - Application for Korean Lump Sum payment (CAN-KOR 1 LS)
- Korea/Canada Agreement - Application for Korean Survivor benefit (CAN-KOR 1 S)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
If you live in Korea
If you live in Korea and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Korea/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-KOR)
- Korea/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-KOR)
- Korea/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-KOR)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Korea, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
Korea’s social security
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Korea
- General overview of Korea's social security system
- Information and access to programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Agreement on Social Security between the Governement of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Korea and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.
Page details
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