Goheung County Achieves Highest Basic Pension Coverage Nationwide... Success of Outreach-Based Welfare Administration

Goheung County Achieves Nation's Highest Basic Pension Coverage Rate
Proactive Outreach Ensures More Seniors Receive Benefits
Eligibility Criteria and Payment Amounts to Increase in 2026
Individualized Guidance and Home Visits Minimize Unregistered Seniors

Goheung County in South Jeolla Province announced on January 7 that, according to official statistics published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, it recorded the highest national basic pension coverage rate as of 2024.

Goheung County has continuously implemented proactive welfare administration to ensure that even one more senior citizen can benefit, responding each year to changes in the eligibility criteria.

Exterior view of Goheung County Office.

In particular, Goheung County has included the "pre-application guidance for the basic pension" as an evaluation item in its township and town welfare administration assessments, and conducts annual evaluations centered on this in December to ensure active, field-oriented guidance is provided.

Each township and town official identifies eligible seniors in advance and provides individual guidance. If visiting the office is difficult, officials visit the seniors' homes directly to assist with on-site applications. This outreach-based welfare administration plays a crucial role in minimizing the number of unregistered seniors and ensuring that eligible individuals actually receive the pension.

Currently, among Goheung County’s approximately 28,000 residents aged 65 and older, about 24,000 are receiving the basic pension, meaning roughly 85% of the eligible population receives benefits. The total amount paid out each month is around 7.3 billion won.

The basic pension can be applied for by individuals or their representatives starting from one month before the applicant’s 65th birthday (for those born in 1961), regardless of address, at any township or town office or National Pension Service branch. If it is difficult to apply in person, applications can also be submitted online through the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s portal site, "Bokjiro."

An official from the county’s Resident Welfare Division stated, "This achievement of the highest basic pension coverage rate nationwide is the result of Goheung County’s tailored welfare administration, which involves reaching out to each and every senior citizen directly. We will continue to actively identify eligible recipients and do our utmost in outreach and promotion to ensure that no senior misses out on their rights."

Meanwhile, the basic pension is a system provided to seniors aged 65 and older, with benefits determined by income and asset levels. In 2026, the eligibility threshold will be raised by 8.3% compared to the previous year, allowing more seniors to benefit.

As of 2026, the eligibility threshold is set at 2.47 million won per month for single-person households and 3.952 million won per month for couples, which are increases of 190,000 won and 304,000 won, respectively, compared to the previous year.

The amount of basic pension paid varies according to income level. For single-person households, the maximum monthly payment will increase by 7,190 won to 349,700 won, while for couples, it will increase by 11,520 won to a maximum of 559,520 won per month compared to the previous year.