National Pension System

All residents turning 20 must enroll in Japan’s National Pension plan

Everyone living in Japan, including foreign residents, aged between 20 and 60 must enroll in the National Pension System. After enrolling, if you fulfill the necessary criteria you will receive the Basic Pension for the Elderly. If you were to become disabled due to an injury or illness, you would receive the Basic Disability Pension. If you were to pass away, your spouse and/or children would receive the Basic Survivors’ Pension. If you are not a Japanese citizen and leave Japan without receiving a pension, you can claim a lumpsum withdrawal refund within two years after your departure if you have paid at least six months of the premium payment period.

Enrollment is unnecessary if you are:

• Enrolled in an employee pension plan
• A dependent spouse of a person enrolled in an employee pension plan
• A citizen of a country which has concluded a social security agreement with Japan and thus exempt from enrolling in Japan’s National Pension plan
• Person with medical stay or long stay visa for sightseeing and recreation

Payment method / payment slips

Once you have submitted your notification of enrollment, the Pension Office sends you payment slips. Please make the payments at banks, convenience stores, or any other applicable locations. Credit card and bank transfer payments are also acceptable. Premium discounts are available if you opt for advance lump-sum payment.

Additional Pension plan

In the Additional Pension Plan under the National Pension Plan, if you pay your monthly flat premium amount plus ¥400 per month, you will be eligible to receive additional benefits with your Basic Pension for the Elderly. The additional pension amount is calculated by multiplying ¥200 and the number of months that the additional premium was paid.
This amount will be added to your annual pension benefits. If you wish to enroll in additional pension insurance, you will need to make the necessary application.

Exemptions

The following systems are available for anyone having difficulties paying the premiums. Please inquire for more information.

• Exemption System - full or partial payment exemption
• Contribution Postponement System for Low Income Persons
• Special Deferral System for Students
• Pre and Post Childbirth Exemption System

For confirmation of your personal pension records, please visit the Nenkin Net website at www.nenkin.go.jp/n_net/ (External Link)（外部サイトへリンク）
For confirmation on the current payment period, please confirm the teikibin notification which is sent to you in your birth month every year or call 0570-05-1165.