‘줬다 뺏는 기초연금’ 여전…“하후상박 개편, 노인빈곤 해법 되나”

The government has unveiled plans for revising the basic pension system to provide more income to low-income seniors, dubbed the "하후상박" approach. However, civil society organizations have pointed out that this method may not effectively alleviate senior poverty. The Basic Pension Support Association held a press conference on the 25th, criticizing the government for insufficient consultation with stakeholders and in-depth deliberation during the reform process.

The association noted that the basic pension income is fully considered in the means-tested income threshold, meaning even if the pension amount is increased, the subsequent month's means-tested income will be reduced by the same amount. One means-tested pension recipient, Chajaseol (69), expressed concern, stating, "If my basic pension is deposited in one month and then reduced by the same amount the next month, how will I make ends meet?"

She added, "It would be better not to give it in the first place." The basic pension is provided to seniors aged 65 and above whose income falls below 70% of the means-tested income threshold. It is estimated that 76,000 seniors will be adversely affected in 2024, rising to 87,000 in 2025 and potentially reaching 100,000 this year and next.

The group demands that the basic pension amount be excluded from the means-tested income threshold for the next year's basic pension budget. The Public Pension Strengthening National Action urged the government to review the selection criteria and phased approach, emphasizing that reform should not weaken the universality of basic pension benefits.

The reform direction should prioritize raising the national pension system's income level before altering the selection framework, which currently applies to 70 out of 100 seniors. The government's approach to redesigning the basic pension system has also drawn criticism, with some questioning whether lowering the top tier and raising the bottom tier truly addresses senior poverty.