Can I opt out for higher take-home pay?

No. Enrollment is mandatory even with consent.

Four major social insurances (Korea)

⚖️ Law By CampusDown Wiki Editorial Team Last updated October 26, 2026

The four major social insurances (sadae boheom) are Korea's National Pension, National Health Insurance, Employment Insurance, and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance. Employers with staff must generally enroll them in all four.

Contents

1. History
2. Contributions and coverage
3. FAQ
4. References

History

Korea's first social insurance was industrial accident insurance (1964), a response to rising workplace injuries during industrialization. Workplace medical insurance followed in 1977 and was merged into National Health Insurance in 2000. The National Pension came in 1988 and Employment Insurance in 1995. The 1997 financial crisis rapidly extended employment insurance and unemployment benefits to all workplaces.

Contributions and coverage

Pension and health premiums are split equally between worker and employer. Employment insurance is partly shared, and accident insurance is paid entirely by the employer. Workers employed for a month or more and working at least 60 hours a month are generally covered by all four, and accident insurance applies from day one. Enrollment can be checked through the 4insure portal. Being labeled a "3.3% freelancer" doesn't remove coverage if you actually worked under supervision.

FAQ

Can I opt out for higher take-home pay?: No. Enrollment is mandatory even with consent.
Am I covered during probation?: Yes, from the first day.

Sources reviewed: 2026-10-26

References

4대사회보험 정보연계센터. https://www.4insure.or.kr
국민건강보험공단, 국민연금공단, 근로복지공단 자료.
산업재해보상보험법·고용보험법·국민연금법·국민건강보험법, 국가법령정보센터. https://www.law.go.kr

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This article was last updated on October 26, 2026. It is based on widely recognized original works and textbooks; when citing it in a paper, please check the original sources listed in the references.