Divorced spouses' pension share jumps 8.5 times amid rise in late-life divorces

The number of individuals receiving split pensions from divorced spouses has dramatically increased, growing by approximately 8.5 times over the last decade. Data from the National Pension Research Institute shows that pension split recipients rose from 11,802 in 2014 to 99,818 by June 2025. This surge is largely attributed to a rise in "golden divorces," where long-married couples separate in their later years, increasing demand for dividing retirement income.

Women constitute the vast majority of these recipients, accounting for 88% or 87,491 individuals. The average monthly payout has also climbed from 184,000 won to 290,000 won during the same period. Men receive an average of 167,000 won per month, while women receive a higher average of 310,000 won.

Despite the growing number of recipients, a significant issue remains: individuals may receive no pension benefits if their ex-spouse chooses to take a lump-sum refund of their contributions instead of a monthly pension. This loophole leaves many vulnerable, prompting calls for urgent system improvements to ensure fair distribution of retirement assets.