National Pension Service, National Assembly hold forum on multi-tier retirement income system

The National Pension Research Institute of the National Pension Service held the "3rd NPS Forum" on Friday at the National Assembly Members' Hall to discuss strategies for redesigning South Korea's multi-tier retirement income security system.

The forum was co-hosted with National Assembly Vice Speaker Nam In-soon, Lawmaker Kim Yun and Lawmaker Baek Seon-hui. It opened with a welcoming address by National Pension Research Institute President Han Jeong-rim, congratulatory remarks from Vice Speaker Nam and a keynote speech by National Pension Service Chairman Kim Seong-ju, followed by thematic presentations and a panel discussion.

In the presentation segment, senior researcher Jeong In-yeong presented on ways to strengthen retirement income security by expanding the coverage and contribution periods of the national pension. Associate researcher An Jun-hong addressed the impact of expanded elderly employment on the national pension, and senior research fellow Choe Ok-geum presented on reforms to the basic pension and future challenges for strengthening the multi-tier retirement income security system.

A general discussion followed, moderated by Lee Sang-eun, a professor in the Department of Social Welfare at Soongsil University. Panelists included Lee Tae, a professor of economics at Gyeongsang National University specializing in retirement age extension; Seok Jae-eun, a professor of social welfare at Hallym University specializing in the basic and national pension; and Choe Gyeong-jin, a professor of business administration at Gyeongsang National University specializing in occupational pensions.

National Pension Service Chairman Kim Seong-ju said the National Pension Research Institute would take the lead in building a robust retirement income safety net and developing policy alternatives based on the expert insights discussed at the forum.