Only 1 in 5 Basic Pension Recipients Find Current Amount Adequate

Only 1 in 5 elderly recipients of the basic pension responded that the current amount is adequate.

National Pension Research Institute releases '2025 Basic Pension Recipient Analysis'

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Jandi = It was found that only 1 in 5 elderly people consider the current basic pension amount, which is about 340,000 won per month, to be adequate. Half of the basic pension recipients thought that about 400,000 won per month would be appropriate.

According to the '2025 Basic Pension Recipient Analysis' by the National Pension Research Institute on the 3rd, this was the result of a survey on the appropriate basic pension amount targeting 2,000 elderly people aged 65 or older who receive the basic pension from late July to mid-September last year.

The government provides a certain amount of basic pension every month to 70% of the elderly aged 65 or older for their stable livelihood. This year's basic pension payment is 349,700 won per month (based on elderly single-person households).

When asked 'What is the appropriate maximum basic pension amount per person?' among basic pension recipients, the response that they were satisfied with the current level (342,000 won) was 19.9%. At that time, the basic pension amount was 342,510 won per month based on elderly single-person households.

The response that preferred an appropriate basic pension amount of 400,000 won per month was the highest at 47.7%, followed by 500,000 won (20.0%). 450,000 won was 12.4%.

The research team said this shows a tendency to perceive the appropriate level as between 400,000 and 500,000 won per month, which is a slight increase from the current level.

While stating that the appropriate amount of basic pension should be higher, the satisfaction with the current benefit level was high.

In the same survey, when asked about satisfaction with the basic pension payment level, the average score was 3.83 out of 5 points. The response 'satisfied' (4 points) accounted for the largest proportion at 63.2%. 'Normal' (3 points) was 19.3%, and 'very satisfied' (5 points) was 12.7%.

Thoughts on receiving the basic pension were generally positive.

When asked if they felt they would have more financial leeway after receiving the basic pension, the response 'somewhat' was the highest at 62.9%. The response 'very much so' was 10.5%.

Regarding whether they felt they would need less financial help from children or relatives after receiving the benefit, more than half responded 'somewhat' (55.0%) or 'very much so' (11.0%).

The research team interpreted this by saying, 'It shows that regardless of the actual amount, the basic pension has a great psychological meaning as a 'source of income that relieves burdens'.' It suggests that the basic pension plays a role in reducing 'guilt and burden' in cohabitation and support relationships.