U.S. nationals (by International Agreement), Korean citizens, and former Korean citizens can obtain a refund of contributions to the Korean Social Security system, referred to as a lump-sum benefit, if they have less than 10 years of Korean coverage and have:

• •

  Attained age 60 (except for the Special Old-age Pension beneficiaries); or

• •

  Lost Korean nationality; or

• •

  Permanently emigrated from Korea; or

• •

  Died (in which case survivors could file).

U.S. nationals, Korean citizens and former Korean citizens who wish to apply for a refund of Korean contributions (i.e., a lump-sum benefit) must file Korean application form KOR/USA 1 with their local SSA field office (FO). This is the same application form that is used to apply for other Korean benefits (see GN 01741.215). They must also submit proof of their citizenship (e.g., a U.S. passport).

The FO forwards the KOR/USA 1 and proof of citizenship to the Division of International Operations (DIO) in Baltimore.

DIO forwards the application form and proof of citizenship to the Korean National Pension Corporation (NPC) and sends a notice to the applicant advising the applicant that the application form has been sent to the NPC.

The NPC then arranges for a refund of the contributions directly to the individual.

Take the following steps to process a claim for a refund of Korean contributions:

1. 1. 

   Provide individuals who wish to apply for a refund of Korean contributions with a copy of application Form KOR/USA 1. The Korean application form is available through the Totalization Benefits Resource Kit.

2. 2. 

   Print the application form and ask the individual to complete Sections A, E and G and return it to the FO along with proof of citizenship.

3. 3. 

   Provide any necessary assistance in completing the Korean application form.

4. 4. 

   When the application is submitted, if the applicant has direct deposit, secure a voided check or a copy of the bank statement.

5. 5. 

   Upon receipt of the application form and proof of citizenship, photocopy and certify the proof of citizenship and return the original to the individual.

6. 6. 

   Forward the completed application form and the certified copy of the proof of citizenship to DIO at the following address:

   Social Security Administration
   
   Division of International Operations
   
   P.O. Box 17769
   
   Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769

7. 7. 

   Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) to show the date the claim was forwarded to DIO. Show “Totalization” as the ISSUE when completing the MDW.

When DIO forwards the completed application form and the certified copy of the proof of citizenship to Korea, DIO annotates the MDW to show the type of claim, the date the claim was forwarded and that a notice was sent to the applicant.

Take the following steps if the applicant contacts the FO for the status of the applicant's claim:

1. 1. 

   Check the MDW to see if DIO has sent the claim to Korea.

2. 2. 

   If DIO hasn't completed the MDW, advise the applicant to write directly to DIO at the address shown in GN 01741.130C.6.

3. 3. 

   If DIO has completed the MDW, advise the applicant to write directly to the Korean agency shown on the notice the applicant received from DIO when the claim was forwarded.

If the applicant contacts the FO to report non-receipt of the Korean refund, advise the individual to contact the Korean National Pension Corporation directly at the address shown in GN 01741.020C.