Pension

Pension System in Japan

Everyone aged between 20 and 59 years old living in Japan, including foreigners, must subscribe to the national pension.
The pension system supports those who require welfare, such as the elderly and disabled, by having those of working age contribute through insurance premiums. There are two types of pension in Japan.
National Pension: Subscribed to by everyone aged between 20 and 59 years old
Employees' Pension: Subscribed to by company employees and public servants

Related link
Japan Pension Service - Japanese National Pension System（外部サイトへリンク） (External link)
*Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese, Burmese, Cambodian, Russian, Nepali, and Mongolian

National Pension

National Pension subscribers are categorized into three groups, and the subscription method and premium payment method differ depending on the group.
When a subscriber's group changes due to getting married, divorced, employed, changing a job, or resigning, etc., they must register that change within 14 days.

Category I insured persons
Person subscribed: Self-employed, students, unemployed, etc.
Subscription method: Register by oneself at the city hall
Premium payment method: Use the payment slip at a bank or convenience store, etc.

Category II insured persons
Person subscribed: Company employees, public servants, etc.
Subscription method: Registered by the company, etc.
Premium payment method: Payment is made by the company, etc.

Category III insured persons
Person subscribed: Person whose spouse is subscribed to an employee pension
Subscription method: Registered by the spouse's company
Premium payment method: Payment is not required by oneself

Main national pension benefit

• Old-age Basic Pension
  Those who paid their premiums for 10 years or more receive this money from the age of 65.
• Disability Basic Pension
  Pension subscribers who suffered impairment due to accident or sickness receive this money.
• Survivors’ Basic Pension
  When a pension subscriber dies, their family (spouse that has children, children) who had been living on the income of the person, receives this money.

If unable to pay the premiums

If the premiums cannot be paid due to low income, etc., premium payments may be exempted or deferred under the system.
If anyone continues not to pay, they will not be able to receive a pension in the future. In this case, please consult with the following:
Contact for inquiries: Shimin ka (City Residential Division)
TEL: 098-939-1212

Employees’ Pension

Employees’ Pension subscribers who satisfy certain conditions can receive an old-age pension, disability pension (or disability allowance), or survivor's pension in the case of old age, disability, or death, etc.
Contact for inquiries: Shimin ka (City Residential Division)
TEL: 098-939-1212

Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment

Foreigners without Japanese nationality receive this money when returning to their country after withdrawing from the Japanese pension.
This applies to those who have paid in premiums for six months or more but have not met the eligibility period to receive the Old-age Basic Pension (10 years including the Employees' Pension receiving period, etc.) Please submit a claim within two years of the date from which you no longer have an address in Japan.

■ How to claim
Please send the "Claim form for Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment" and all required documents to the Japan Pension Service after leaving Japan.
See the Japan Pension Service's homepage for details.

Related link
How to claim a Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment（外部サイトへリンク）

Inquiries about Pensions

Koza Pension Office: 2-2-52 Goya, Okinawa City
TEL: 098-933-2267
*Service only available in Japanese.