The expected National Pension benefit amount is calculated by reflecting the contribution period and an individual's income history. Even if contributions are paid for the same period, the expected pension amount may differ depending on the standard monthly income applied during the contribution period.

■ How to Check Expected Amounts by Contribution Period According to the National Pension Service (NPS), expected old-age pension amounts can be checked by contribution periods divided into 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years. If you are curious about detailed expected amounts for periods between the guided brackets, such as 11 years of contributions, you can consult the National Pension call center.

■ The 'A-Value' and 'B-Value' Used in Pension Calculation The pension calculation uses the 'A-value,' which reflects the income level of all contributors, and the 'B-value,' which is the average of the individual's standard monthly income during the contribution period. The A-value is the average of the mean monthly incomes over the three years before pension receipt. The guided expected amounts assume first-time enrollment in January 2026 and are calculated using the A-value applicable for 2026, which is 3,193,511 won. Therefore, they may differ from the expected amounts based on the actual payment history of existing contributors.

■ 50% Payment Rate for a 10-Year Contribution Period… Dependent Family Pension Amounts Are Also Added The old-age pension payment rate is 50% based on a 10-year contribution period, and it increases by 5/12 of a percentage point for each additional month of contributions. If the contribution period exceeds 20 years, the excess contribution months are also reflected in the pension calculation. If the beneficiary supports family members and meets the related requirements, a dependent family pension amount is added. The guided annual amounts are 306,630 won for a spouse and 204,360 won per child or parent.

■ How Expected Disability and Survivor Pension Amounts Are Presented For disability pensions, expected monthly payment amounts can be checked for disability grades 1 through 3, while grade 4 is classified as a lump-sum payment. Expected survivor pension amounts are presented in brackets of less than 10 years, 10 to less than 20 years, and 20 years or more of contributions.

■ Expected Amounts Are Not Final Payment Amounts… Caps Also Apply When checking the expected National Pension benefit amount, note that the expected amount is not confirmed as the future payment amount. The actual pension amount is determined by applying the A-value at the time the payment eligibility arises and the revaluation rate, which converts past income into present value. A cap also applies to the monthly pension amount including the dependent family pension amount. It cannot exceed the larger of either the average standard monthly income over the final five years of enrollment or the revalued average of the standard monthly income over the entire contribution period.

■ Standard Monthly Income Floor of 410,000 Won and Ceiling of 6.59 Million Won from July 2026 to June 2027 Meanwhile, the standard monthly income floor for the period from July 2026 to June 2027 is 410,000 won, and the ceiling is 6.59 million won. This is the income standard applied to premium calculation and does not represent the minimum or maximum monthly pension amounts.

[This article was written based on guidance provided by the National Pension Service. Expected pension amounts may differ from actual payments depending on contribution period, income history, timing of receipt, and applicable standards. Individual eligibility and expected amounts should be confirmed through the National Pension Service or its call center. AI assistance was used in writing this article.]