Lee suggests adjusting basic pension payments for low-income seniors | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday floated the idea of adjusting basic pension payments for elderly people in proportion to their income level. The adjustment is expected to begin next year, starting with low-income households. "A married couple growing old together should not face disadvantages," Lee wrote on X. "I have heard that there are even cases in which people opt for sham divorces to avoid reductions in their basic pension payments." Citing South Korea's high suicide rate among the elderly, Lee said poverty remains one of the most serious challenges facing older adults and suggested it may be time to review the current pension structure. "If we want to reduce elderly poverty that can even drive people to take their own lives, we need to revise the current basic pension system," he said. President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a town hall meeting with residents in North Chungcheong Province held in the central city of Cheongju on March 13, 2026. (Yonhap) ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Lee #pension payments Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N. Korea holds parliamentary elections First lady attends memorial service for ex-PM Lee Hae-chan prev Lee suggests adjusting basic pension payments for low-income seniors Next Lee suggests adjusting basic pension payments for low-income seniors

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OK
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday floated the idea of adjusting basic pension payments for elderly people in proportion to their income level.
Lee made the remarks in a post on the social media platform X, sharing a link to a news story about the government's plan to gradually ease the reduction in basic pension payments for couples aged 65 or older when both spouses receive the benefit. The adjustment is expected to begin next year, starting with low-income households.
"A married couple growing old together should not face disadvantages," Lee wrote on X. "I have heard that there are even cases in which people opt for sham divorces to avoid reductions in their basic pension payments."
Citing South Korea's high suicide rate among the elderly, Lee said poverty remains one of the most serious challenges facing older adults and suggested it may be time to review the current pension structure.
"If we want to reduce elderly poverty that can even drive people to take their own lives, we need to revise the current basic pension system," he said.
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a town hall meeting with residents in North Chungcheong Province held in the central city of Cheongju on March 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Lee suggests adjusting basic pension payments for low-income seniors

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Lee made the remarks in a post on the social media platform X, sharing a link to a news story about the government's plan to gradually ease the reduction in basic pension payments for couples aged 65 or older when both spouses receive the benefit.

### Areas for Consideration
- President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a town hall meeting with residents in North Chungcheong Province held in the central city of Cheongju on March 13, 2026. (Yonhap) ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Lee #pension payments Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- The adjustment is expected to begin next year, starting with low-income households. "A married couple growing old together should not face disadvantages," Lee wrote on X. "I have heard that there are even cases in which people opt for sham divorces to avoid reductions in their basic pension payments." Citing South Korea's high suicide rate among the elderly, Lee said poverty remains one of the most serious challenges facing older adults and suggested it may be time to review the current pension structure. "If we want to reduce elderly poverty that can even drive people to take their own lives, we need to revise the current basic pension system," he said.
- President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a town hall meeting with residents in North Chungcheong Province held in the central city of Cheongju on March 13, 2026. (Yonhap) ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Lee #pension payments Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills (LEAD) N.
- Korea's missile firing (LEAD) Gov't to take steps to implement fuel price cap this week as Mideast crisis intensifies Most Viewed All Categories S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, lee, pension topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 486.