Starting January this year, recipients of the National Pension and Basic Pension will receive a 2.1% increase in their benefits. The Ministry of Health and Welfare held the first National Pension Review Committee of 2026 at the National Pension Service’s Gangnam office on January 9, where they approved the increase in pension benefits and adjustments to the upper and lower limits of the standard monthly income.
The basic pension amount and dependent family pension amount for 2026 have been increased by 2.1%, reflecting the previous year’s consumer price inflation rate. As a result, approximately 7.52 million current pension recipients will receive a 2.1% higher pension amount starting January. Additionally, the ‘revaluation rate’ necessary for calculating the benefits of new pension recipients was determined.
The upper and lower limits of the standard monthly income were also adjusted. Reflecting the average income fluctuation rate of all National Pension subscribers over the past three years, the upper limit of the standard monthly income for 2026 was changed from 6.37 million won to 6.59 million won, and the lower limit from 400,000 won to 410,000 won. Most subscribers are not affected by these adjustments.
The basic pension amount was also increased by 2.1%, reflecting the previous year’s consumer price inflation rate, from 342,510 won in 2025 to 349,700 won in 2026. Approximately 7.79 million elderly recipients of the basic pension will receive the increased amount starting January.