Unemployment benefit calculation is changing — effective 1 Jan 2028 | 3-month average wage → 1-year reported pay
The base daily wage for unemployment (job-seeking) benefit is currently the average wage over the 3 months before separation. From 1 January 2028 it becomes the reported pay for the 1 year before separation, summed and divided by a number of days set by presidential decree. Separations through 2027 still use the current method.
Conditions used in the video
- Effective date
- 2028-01-01
- Basis
- 고용보험법 제45조 amendment (Employment Insurance Act, base daily wage)
- Current base daily wage
- average wage for the 3 months before separation
- Base daily wage from 2028
- reported pay for the 1 year before separation ÷ days set by presidential decree
- Covered
- employees · artists · service providers
Results
- Calculation period
- 3 months → 1 year
- Calculation basis
- average wage → reported pay
- Ceiling job-seeking benefit (2026)
- ₩68,100
- Floor job-seeking benefit (2026 · 8h)
- ₩66,048
- Ceiling-floor gap
- ₩2,052
At a glance
Based on an 8-hour workday. The post-amendment ceiling and floor are left to the Enforcement Decree.
- Ceiling (₩113,500 × 60%)₩68,100
- Floor (₩10,320 × 8 × 80%)₩66,048
gap ₩2,052
Why it works this way
The basis for calculating unemployment benefit is changing from average wage to reported pay. This comes from an amendment to the 고용보험법 (Employment Insurance Act), effective 1 January 2028.
Right now, the base daily wage is the average wage: total wages for the 3 months before separation divided by the number of days in that period. The job-seeking benefit daily amount is 60% of this base daily wage.
고용보험법 제45조 (Employment Insurance Act, base daily wage, amendment effective 2028-01-01).
- Nowtotal wages for the 3 months before separation ÷ total days in that period (average wage)
- From 2028-01-01reported pay for the 1 year before separation, summed ÷ total days of the period set by presidential decree
- Coveredemployees, and also artists and service providers, whose pay counts the same way
The calculation period stretches from 3 months to 1 year, and the basis moves from a company-computed average wage to pay reported to employment insurance. The method itself is different.
The amendment sums the reported pay for the 1 year before separation and divides it by a number of days set by presidential decree. Artists and service providers are included too. The Enforcement Decree will set the divisor.
On 2026 figures, the ceiling job-seeking benefit daily amount is ₩68,100, and the floor for an 8-hour workday is ₩66,048. They are only about ₩2,000 apart. The new ceiling and floor after the amendment are left to the Enforcement Decree.
고용보험법 제46조제1항 (job-seeking benefit rate) · 시행령 제68조제1항 (Enforcement Decree, ceiling) · minimum wage notice.
- Ceilingbase daily wage ceiling ₩113,500 × 60% = ₩68,100
- Floorminimum wage ₩10,320 × 8 hours × 80% = ₩66,048
- After the amendmentset by the Enforcement Decree. This page does not assume a figure
Even though the way the base daily wage is computed changes, setting the ceiling and floor is still the Enforcement Decree's job. This page will be updated once it is issued.
Because both the calculation period and the basis change together, the method itself is different. Separations through 2027 still use the current method. Separations from 1 January 2028 onward use the new method.
This video and page cover a measure that has been promulgated but is not yet in force. Enforcement Decrees and notices may still change the details, and the effective date could move.
In short: from 1 January 2028, the unemployment benefit base daily wage is no longer the 3-month average wage. It becomes the reported pay for the 1 year before separation. The divisor and the new ceiling and floor are left to the Enforcement Decree.
The legal basis
Drawn from government announcements and the statutes themselves as primary sources, covering only the relevant part.
고용보험법 제45조 (급여의 기초가 되는 임금일액, base daily wage for benefits) · amended
In force Effective 2028-01-01
The base daily wage for job-seeking benefit is the reported pay for the 1 year before separation, summed and divided by the total days of the calculation period set by presidential decree. Artists' and service providers' pay is included the same way.
What this means
🔴 The 'average wage at the last separation' basis is replaced by a '1-year reported pay' basis. The calculation period and the basis both change completely.
고용보험법 제45조 (급여의 기초가 되는 임금일액, base daily wage for benefits) · current
In force Current (for separations through 2027)
The base daily wage is the average wage as calculated at the last separation: total wages for the 3 months before separation divided by the total days of that period. If below the minimum base daily wage, the minimum applies; if above the amount set by presidential decree, that amount applies.
What this means
This method applies to any separation through 2027. The 3-month average wage is the starting point, capped and floored on either side.
고용보험법 제46조제1항 · 시행령 제68조제1항 (job-seeking benefit daily amount · ceiling)
In force Enforcement Decree amended 2025-12-23
The job-seeking benefit daily amount is 60% of the base daily wage, and the base daily wage ceiling is ₩113,500. The minimum job-seeking benefit daily amount is 80% of the minimum base daily wage (the prescribed daily working hours × the minimum hourly wage).
What this means
This is where the 2026 ceiling of ₩68,100 and the 8-hour floor of ₩66,048 come from. The post-amendment ceiling and floor will be set by a new Enforcement Decree, so this page does not assume a figure.
Run it on your own numbers
The calculator opens with these conditions already filled in. Change the figures and your own case comes straight out.
Frequently asked
If I separate in 2027, which method applies?
The current method. The base daily wage is calculated from the average wage for the 3 months before separation. Separations from 1 January 2028 onward use the 1-year reported-pay basis.
What counts as reported pay?
Pay reported to employment insurance. Instead of the average wage a company writes on the separation confirmation, the 1 year of pay reported to employment insurance is summed.
Will the benefit amount go up or down?
This page does not assume an answer. What divisor applies to the 1 year of pay, and how the new ceiling and floor are set, is left to the Enforcement Decree. This page will be updated once it is issued.
Does this also change things for artists and service providers?
Yes. The amended provision includes artists' and service providers' pay in the base daily wage the same way.
Which method does the calculator use right now?
The current method. It computes the base daily wage from the 3-month average wage and applies the 2026 ceiling and floor. The calculator will be rebuilt to match the 2028 effective date.
Results are estimates based on the inputs and on the rules as at the stated date. They may differ from a lender's actual assessment, and the rules change often. Take professional advice before any decision that matters.