Korea seeks to expand pension credit for second child to 15 months

The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Tuesday proposed increasing the National Pension childbirth credit for parents with a second child to 15 months as part of its policy agenda for the second half of 2026. The ministry said the change is intended to extend parents' recognized contribution periods, helping strengthen retirement income. Under the current system, introduced in January, parents receive 12 months of credited contribution time toward the National Pension for their first child and an