As 'Twilight Divorces' Rise, Claims for Split National Pension Surge 8.5-Fold in a Decade

The number of people receiving a split pension—a portion of their ex-spouse's National Pension—has increased 8.5-fold over the past decade.

This trend is a result of the sharp rise in "twilight divorces," which has led to a growing demand for dividing retirement income.

According to a report by the National Pension Research Institute, the number of split pension recipients grew from 11,802 in 2014 to 99,818 as of June last year.

The primary driver behind this surge in split pension recipients is the increase in so-called twilight divorces.

Data from the National Data Agency shows that the proportion of divorces among couples married for 20 years or more has more than tripled, rising from 9.8% in 1997 to 36.2% in 2024.

The proportion of twilight divorces involving couples who have lived together for 30 years or more has also risen sharply, from 10.9% in 2017 to 16.6% in 2024.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
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