Chuncheon City Raises Basic Pension by Up to 2.1%... 349,700 Won per Month for Single-Person Households

This year, the basic pension in Chuncheon has been increased by up to 2.1% compared to the previous year.

Chuncheon City Hall exterior.

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According to Chuncheon City in Gangwon Province, the maximum monthly basic pension benefit for 2026 has been raised by 2.1% over the previous year to reflect inflation. The new maximum is 349,700 won per month for single-person households and 559,520 won per month for couple households.

The selection criteria for basic pension eligibility (based on recognized income) have also been raised. This year, the threshold is set at 2,470,000 won per month for single-person households and 3,952,000 won per month for couple households. As a result, some seniors who were previously excluded from receiving the basic pension due to income and asset standards are now newly eligible. The benefit is paid differentially according to recognized income and is deposited into individual accounts on the 25th of every month.

The basic pension is a system that provides a monthly pension to seniors aged 65 or older whose recognized income falls below the threshold, supporting a stable income base for retirement. While the elderly population in Chuncheon is increasing by 2,000 to 3,000 people each year, the basic pension coverage rate is on a downward trend. There are concerns about the emergence of welfare blind spots, as some seniors are unable to apply due to a lack of awareness of the system or missing the application period.

In response, Chuncheon City plans to strengthen information dissemination about the basic pension system and actively identify new eligible recipients. The city will expand outreach through administrative welfare centers in towns and neighborhoods and enhance door-to-door guidance to ensure that no one is missed from applying.

Meanwhile, this year’s budget for Chuncheon’s basic pension program amounts to approximately 149.2 billion won, with 90% provided by the national government, 2% by the province, and 8% by the city.

A Chuncheon City official stated, "The basic pension is the most fundamental safety net that protects the minimum living standards of seniors," adding, "We will actively provide information so that more seniors can benefit and reduce welfare blind spots."

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