South Korean Retirees Surge to 50% ETF Allocation, Shifting From Bonds to S&P 500 and Semiconductors in 2026

According to Mirae Asset Securities' analysis of its defined contribution and individual retirement plan accounts released this year, ETF investments across all age groups have surged to around 50% in 2026, up from 30-40% in 2024. The 40-year-old cohort led adoption at 60.4%, followed by those in their 50s (58.2%), 30s (57.7%), and 60s (50.4%), with younger and older investors also climbing to near 50%.

The composition of holdings has shifted markedly from bond-focused to equity-focused products. Where bond ETFs previously dominated retirement portfolios, investors across all age groups now favor U.S. equity index ETFs (S&P 500, Nasdaq 100), domestic semiconductor ETFs, and mixed equity-bond products. Notably, investors aged 70 and above selected a global AI-focused active ETF as their most-held product, signaling a willingness to maintain aggressive asset allocation beyond traditional retirement age.