"Reforming the National Pension Structure for Working Seniors"
"Expanding Customized Reverse Mortgages... Income Stability"
On May 8, in recognition of Parents' Day, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung announced, "We will gradually reduce the amount of the current basic pension reduction for married couples."
Through social media on the same day, Lee stated, "The state must properly reward our seniors, who have built our proud history, so that they can enjoy a healthy and happy old age."
The current "basic pension reduction for couples" policy reduces each spouse's basic pension by 20% if both receive the basic old-age pension. This means that the total amount paid to a couple is 20% less than that paid to a single-person household. This policy has been consistently criticized as a factor hindering stable living in old age. Lee plans to gradually ease the reduction criteria, thereby increasing the actual pension amount received.
He also pledged to improve the structure in which working seniors see their National Pension payments reduced. Under the current system, people can receive the National Pension from the age of 65, but if they earn income above a certain level after starting to receive benefits, their pension is temporarily reduced. This is called the "income deduction for employed beneficiaries" system, which paradoxically results in a lower pension for seniors who continue to work. Lee promised to reform this system, stating, "It is right to encourage seniors to work in an era when people live to 100."
Candidate Lee Jae-myung with a Bright Expression(Jeonju=Yonhap News) Photo by Ryu Youngseok = On the 7th, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, who embarked on the "Listening Tour in Every Alley: National Land Traverse Edition," is warmly greeting supporters and citizens near the square in front of Pungnammun Gate in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do.
On the same day, the Seoul High Court postponed the first trial of Lee's case regarding alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act, originally scheduled for the 15th, to June 18, 2025. 2025.5.7
ondol@yna.co.kr (End)
Lee also announced plans to implement a "state responsibility system for senior care." The main points include reducing the burden of nursing care costs and expanding the "primary care physician system" for medically vulnerable groups. The age for health insurance coverage of dental implants will be lowered, and the number of implants covered will also be increased. Lee stated, "We will expand integrated community care so that seniors can comfortably receive care in their own neighborhoods," and added, "The burden of nursing care costs will be shared by society, not individuals, with the public sector taking on more responsibility, so that worries about bankruptcy due to care costs can be alleviated."
He also emphasized, "At the end of last year, the National Assembly passed a bill led by the Democratic Party to provide five-day-a-week meal support at senior centers. We will expand support not only for senior centers but also for senior welfare and leisure facilities." Lee added, "In addition, we will expand 'customized reverse mortgages' to stabilize retirement income and introduce a public trust system for seniors who have difficulty managing their assets." He also pledged to increase public sector jobs such as school safety guards and safe escort assistants, and to strengthen sports facilities for seniors.
Lee stressed, "Each and every senior is the very history of our Republic of Korea," and asserted, "Now, what is needed is not poverty and loneliness, but fair treatment for their dedication and efforts."
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