The State pays a young person's first national pension contribution at 18 — effective 1 January 2027 | one month, once
From 1 January 2027, a young person aged 18 to under 27 who applies has one month of the first national pension contribution paid by the State. Anyone who has already paid contributions receives one extra month of coverage instead. It applies to people who turn 18 on or after the effective date.
Conditions used in the video
- Effective date
- 2027-01-01
- Promulgated
- 2026-05-26
- Basis
- National Pension Act Article 100-5 (new)
- Who
- aged 18 to under 27 · those who turn 18 on or after the effective date
- Support
- one month's contribution, once · based on the lower limit of the standard monthly income
- Apply to
- National Pension Service
Results
- Contribution paid by the State
- one month · once
- If contributions were already paid
- one extra month of coverage
- Effect of the added month
- counts toward the basic old-age pension amount only
- Applies to
- people who turn 18 on or after 2027-01-01
- Turned 18 before that
- not covered
Why it works this way
Today, turning 18 with no income creates no national pension record. The later the first payment, the shorter the coverage period, and later back-payment of missed periods is possible only from the date a record exists. The first month is the starting point for everything after it.
National Pension Act Article 100-5 (effective 2027-01-01).
- Aged 18 to under 27apply to the National Pension Service
- The State paysthat month's contribution, once · based on the lower limit of the standard monthly income
- A record existsone month of coverage · counted in the basic old-age pension amount
Anyone who has already paid contributions gets one extra month of coverage instead of money.
The amount is one month's contribution based on the lower limit of the standard monthly income. The limit is set by notice each year, so check that year's notice for the figure. The added month counts toward the basic old-age pension amount but not toward disability pensions, survivor pensions or lump-sum refunds.
Addenda Article 2 (application).
- Turns 18 on or after 2027-01-01covered
- Turned 18 before thatnot covered
- Until under 27may apply
Those born in 2009 or later are the first cohort.
This video and page describe a measure that has been promulgated but has not taken effect. Details may change through a decree or notice.
In short, from 1 January 2027 an 18-year-old who applies to the National Pension Service has the first month's contribution paid by the State, creating a record. That month is the starting point for back-payment and the old-age pension.
The legal basis
Drawn from government announcements and the statutes themselves as primary sources, covering only the relevant part.
National Pension Act Article 100-5 (Support for young people's first contribution)
In force Effective 2027-01-01 (promulgated 2026-05-26; Addenda Article 1 proviso)
Where a member aged 18 to under 27 applies, the State supports, once, the first month's contribution based on the lower limit of the standard monthly income. Where contributions have already been paid, one month is added to the coverage period. The added period counts only toward the basic old-age pension amount.
What this means
The State creates the first month's record. Since that record is the starting point for back-payment, applying at 18 is a no-loss choice.
National Pension Act Addenda Article 2 (Application)
In force 2027-01-01
Article 100-5 applies to persons who turn 18 on or after the date this Act takes effect.
What this means
Anyone who turned 18 before the effective date is not covered. Those born in 2009 or later are the first cohort.
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.
Open the National Pension Estimator
Frequently asked
How much is the support?
One month's contribution based on the lower limit of the standard monthly income. The limit is set by notice each year, so the amount follows that year's notice.
What if I already paid contributions from a part-time job?
Instead of paying money, one month is added to your coverage period. That month counts only toward the basic old-age pension amount.
Does someone who turned 18 in 2026 qualify?
No. Under the addenda, it applies to people who turn 18 on or after the effective date, 1 January 2027.
What is the benefit of a single month of record?
Back-payment opens from the date a record exists. The earlier the first record, the longer the period you can fill in later.
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.