Page 298 - 2020 Defence White Paper

[Chart 7-11] Plans on the Use of Military Career Certificate Outside the Military

Education and Job performance Ministry of Education
training (college credits)
Military Use
Military experience career outside
based on NCS the
certificate Ministry of Labor and
Employment, Ministry of military
Self-development Barracks life SMEs and Startups
(recognized by companies)

2. Pension System That Reflects the Characteristics of Military Service

Meaning and Characteristics of the The military pension system is aimed
Military Pension System at fostering stable living conditions and
improving the welfare benefits for
servicemembers and their families by providing proper remuneration to service-
members in retirement after years of faithful service or to their family members in
case of the servicemember’s death. Servicemembers perform duties that pose risks
to their lives such as taking part in battles and dangerous exercises, and most live and
work in remote or forward areas under harsh working conditions that involve
military operations and long periods of standby duty. As they have to retire at the age
set for each rank, however, most retire between the ages of 45 and 56 when the level
of living expenses tends to be highest due to the expenditure on education for their
children, etc.
The military pension system, which reflects such unique circumstances of military

service, not only serves the basic purpose of a pension system as a social insurance
that ensures income for one’s later years but also works as a national program that
guarantees stable livelihood for servicemembers retiring early and compensates
those who sacrifice themselves for the country.
Military pension plays an important role in helping career servicemembers
focus on their duties without having to worry about their life after retirement.
Other developed countries also provide more preferential benefits to military
pension compared to other public pension programs in consideration of the unique
characteristics of military pension.

Improving the Military In December 2019, the Military Pension Act was
Pension System revised to introduce the "Pension Split" provision
that–to protect the livelihood of divorced spouses in
their twilight years–grants a divorced spouse a pro-rata part of his or her spouse’s

296 2020 Defense White Paper