Among elderly recipients of the Basic Pension, the number of recipients with a recognized income of zero won has exceeded 1.17 million. As income disparities are clearly evident even among recipients, the challenge of redesigning the payment system has been raised.

'Zero Recognized Income' Recipients Account for 17.42%... Concentrated in Low-Income Brackets

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to the office of Rep. Kim Seon-min (Cho Kuk Innovation Party), the total number of Basic Pension recipients stood at 6,758,487 as of the end of December 2024. Among them, recipients with a recognized income of zero won numbered 1,170,012, accounting for 17.42% of the total. Recipients with a recognized income of 100,000 won or less also reached 1,458,948 (21.59%).

Recognized income is calculated by adding the monthly income evaluation amount—including earned, business, and pension income—to general assets such as housing, land, and financial assets converted into monthly income. If, after deductions, there is no substantial income or converted income from assets at all, the recognized income is calculated as zero won.

A significant portion of all recipients are concentrated in low recognized-income brackets. Those with 500,000 won or less totaled 2,889,643 (42.76%), and those with 1 million won or less numbered 4,121,144 (60.98%).

Meanwhile, recipients exceeding 2 million won per month were also not few, at 967,299 (14.31%). Of these, those exceeding 2.1 million won numbered 850,815 (12.59%).

By Region, Gyeonggi Ranks First, Followed by Seoul... Incheon Has the Highest Zero-Income Ratio

Gyeonggi Province had the largest number of recipients with zero recognized income, at 255,338. This was followed by Seoul (183,656), Busan (95,340), South Gyeongsang (84,441), Incheon (75,412), and North Gyeongsang (73,740). The ratio of zero-income recipients was highest in Incheon at 19.85%, followed by Seoul (18.66%), Gyeonggi (18.27%), Gangwon (18.23%), and Daejeon (18.16%).

Eligibility Threshold Raised Annually... 2.47 Million Won for Single-Person Households in 2026

As of 2024, the Basic Pension eligibility threshold was 2.13 million won for single-person households and 3.408 million won for couples. In 2025, it was raised to 2.28 million won for single-person households and 3.648 million won for couples, and the 2026 threshold for single-person households has been set at 2.47 million won. The Basic Pension is paid to the bottom 70% of income earners among those aged 65 and older.

National Pension Research Institute Proposes Transition to a Minimum Income Guarantee System... 1.75 Million Elderly in Coverage Gaps

In a recent report, the National Pension Research Institute proposed transitioning from the current blanket payment system covering 70% of seniors to a minimum income guarantee system linked to the 'median income,' which would pay higher pensions to elderly people in difficult circumstances. The researchers analyzed that gradually adjusting the payment targets and increasing pension amounts for vulnerable groups would be effective.

Meanwhile, it was found that 1.75 million elderly people fall through the cracks, unable to apply due to lack of awareness of the system, exclusion from occupational pensions, or reductions in Basic Livelihood Security benefits. The government is working to improve the system by strengthening the management of benefit application history records and conducting precise verification of the eligibility model.