2026년 기초연금, 부모님 대신 확인해보세요

2026년 기초연금, 부모님 대신 확인해보세요

부모님이 만 65세 이상이라면 2026년 기초연금 수급 대상인지 한 번 확인해볼 필요가 있습니다.

기초연금은 만 65세 이상 어르신 가운데 소득과 재산을 환산한 ‘소득인정액’이 선정기준액 이하인 분에게 지급되는 제도입니다.

2026년 기준 선정기준액은 다음과 같습니다.

단독가구: 월 247만 원 이하
부부가구: 월 395만 2천 원 이하

2026년 기초연금 기준연금액은 월 최대 34만 9,700원입니다. 다만 모든 수급자가 이 금액을 동일하게 받는 것은 아닙니다. 부부가 모두 기초연금을 받거나 소득·재산 수준, 국민연금 수령액 등에 따라 실제 지급액이 줄어들 수 있습니다. (국민연금공단)

국민연금을 받고 있어도 기초연금을 받을 수 있을까요?

가능합니다.

국민연금을 받고 있다는 이유만으로 기초연금 대상에서 자동 제외되는 것은 아닙니다. 만 65세 이상이면서 소득인정액이 선정기준액 이하라면 두 연금을 함께 받을 수 있습니다.

다만 국민연금 급여액 등에 따라 기초연금액이 일부 감액될 수 있으므로 실제 수급 여부와 금액은 개별적으로 확인해야 합니다. (국민연금공단)

또한 집이나 금융재산이 있다고 해서 무조건 기초연금을 받을 수 없는 것도 아닙니다. 소득과 재산을 종합적으로 평가하기 때문에 가족이 미리 대상이 아니라고 판단하기보다는 공식적으로 확인하는 것이 좋습니다.

어디에서 신청하나요?

기초연금은 전국 읍·면·동 주민센터 또는 행정복지센터와 국민연금공단 지사에서 신청할 수 있습니다.

온라인으로는 복지로 홈페이지와 모바일 앱에서도 신청할 수 있습니다. 거동이 불편하거나 방문하기 어려운 경우 국민연금공단의 ‘찾아뵙는 서비스’를 이용할 수도 있으며, 관련 문의는 국민연금공단 1355에서 가능합니다. (국민연금공단)

---

English Guide | Korea’s 2026 Basic Pension Explained

What is Korea’s Basic Pension?

Korea’s Basic Pension is a social security program designed to provide financial support for eligible older adults.

In 2026, people aged 65 or older may qualify if their recognized monthly income — a calculated figure that takes both income and assets into account — falls below the government’s eligibility threshold.

For 2026, the monthly thresholds are:

Single-person household: KRW 2.47 million or less

Couple household: KRW 3.952 million or less

The maximum standard Basic Pension amount is KRW 349,700 per month in 2026. (국민연금공단)

However, “maximum” is important.

Not every recipient automatically receives KRW 349,700. The actual payment may be adjusted depending on the recipient’s financial circumstances, National Pension benefits, and whether both spouses receive the Basic Pension.

When both spouses qualify, for example, each spouse’s calculated Basic Pension may be reduced by 20 percent. (국민연금공단)

Can you receive both the National Pension and Basic Pension?

Yes, in some cases.

One of the most common misunderstandings among families is that receiving Korea’s National Pension automatically makes an older adult ineligible for the Basic Pension.

That is not necessarily true.

An older adult who receives the National Pension may also qualify for the Basic Pension if they are at least 65 years old and meet the applicable income and asset requirements. (국민연금공단)

However, the amount of Basic Pension received may be reduced depending on the amount and composition of National Pension benefits.

This is why families should avoid making an eligibility decision based solely on the amount of pension deposited into a parent’s bank account.

Does owning a home mean you cannot receive the Basic Pension?

Not automatically.

Eligibility is determined using “recognized income,” which incorporates both income and assets according to specific calculation rules.

A person who owns a home is therefore not necessarily excluded.

Likewise, someone with very little monthly income is not automatically eligible if their overall financial circumstances result in recognized income above the threshold.

The safest approach is to request an official eligibility assessment rather than relying on a simple online comparison.

How can older adults apply?

Applications can be submitted in person at local eup, myeon, or dong community service centers and administrative welfare centers throughout Korea.

Applications can also be made through National Pension Service branches.

For people who prefer an online option, applications are available through Bokjiro, Korea’s welfare information and application platform. (국민연금공단)

National Pension Service – Basic Pension information

For older adults who have difficulty traveling because of limited mobility, distance, or other circumstances, the National Pension Service also provides a home-visit application assistance program.

Families can contact the National Pension Service at 1355 for more information. (국민연금공단)

What if your parent applied before and was rejected?

It may still be worth checking again.

Financial circumstances can change, and eligibility standards are updated over time.

The National Pension Service also operates a follow-up management service for people who apply for the Basic Pension but are initially found ineligible. Applicants who register for this service may be notified later if they are expected to become eligible. (국민연금공단)

For families, this is an important point: an unsuccessful application several years ago does not necessarily mean a parent will remain ineligible indefinitely.

Why families should check welfare benefits together

Welfare programs can be difficult for older adults to navigate alone.

The Basic Pension is only one part of Korea’s senior welfare system. Depending on an older adult’s health, functional ability and care needs, other programs such as long-term care insurance, home-care services, day-care services for older adults, or integrated community care may also be relevant.

Families should therefore look beyond a single benefit and periodically review what assistance may be available.

At 가림요양원 · 가림주간보호센터, we also believe that understanding an older adult’s health, daily living abilities and care needs is an important first step when considering long-term care.

The Basic Pension and long-term care services are separate systems, so eligibility for one should not be interpreted as automatic eligibility for another.

If your parents are approaching age 65, or if they were previously found ineligible for the Basic Pension, have you checked their eligibility again under the 2026 standards? Feel free to leave a comment about the part of the system you would most like us to explain next.

For questions about admission to a nursing home or the use of a senior day-care center, 가림요양원 · 가림주간보호센터 provides consultation based on each family’s circumstances.

☎ 041-837-7575

🌿 GARIMLAND | 가림랜드

사람을 먼저 생각하는 가림요양원의 이야기

We share information about senior health, welfare, long-term care and everyday caregiving through Naver Blog, Tistory and Blogspot.

You can also see everyday activities and programs at GARIM through YouTube Shorts and TikTok.

GARIMLAND Linktree

가림요양원 · 가림주간보호센터
충남 부여군 임천면 충절로 698

#BasicPension #KoreaBasicPension #SeniorWelfare #ElderCare #KoreaSeniorCare