National Pension

The National Pension system is operated by the country and supported by intergenerational efforts to support the life of Japanese residents who retire, become disabled due to an accident or illness, or lose the person who had been supporting their household.

Those who are eligible to enroll in National Pension

Those who are 20 years of age or older and under 60 and are registered as residents in Japan, including foreigners, are required to enroll.

Procedures to enroll

Enrollment procedures are conducted at the reception desk of the municipality where you are registered as a resident.

If you work at a Japanese company and will be enrolling in employee pension insurance, your employer will handle the enrollment procedures, so you do not have to do so.

Premium for the National Pension

You pay the premium until you turn 60 years of age. The premium is a fixed amount.

Payment methods

Please make payments at a financial institution, post office, convenience store or cashless payment using a smartphone app by the due date according to the payment slip the Japan Pension Service sends. You may also pay by bank transfer or by credit card. There is also a system that lowers your premiums if you pay the total amount in a lump sum.

Note: Payments are not accepted at the city reception desk or pension office desk.

Exemption Program for Pre- and Post-Childbirth Period (new program from April 2019)

National pension premiums for the four months from the month before the expected date of birth or the month before the birth month will be exempted. Please visit the service window for details.

Inquiries

National Pension Group, Medical Treatment for the Elderly and Pension Section, Tel: 03-3981-1954

If you are having problems paying the premium

There is a system where your premium is exempt if paying it becomes difficult due to reasons such as having low income, job loss, or attending school. Please inquire at the reception desk.

Inquiries

National Pension Group, Medical Treatment for the Elderly and Pension Section Tel: 03-3981-1954

Premiums can be deducted from your income taxes

The premium you paid can be deducted as social insurance payment from your earned income and special City resident taxes and Tokyo resident taxes. Please report this when filing your income taxes, resident taxes, or processing your year-end adjustments.

Inquiries

Ikebukuro Pension Office, Japan Pension Service Tel: 03-3988-6011

Payment of National Pension

Basic pension for the elderly

As a general rule, those who have fulfilled the eligibility period of 10 years or more can start receiving it from 65 years of age.

Other pensions

There are other pensions such as the basic pension for the disabled, which is provided in case the enrollee in the national pension becomes disabled, and the basic pension for the bereaved, which is provided to the survivors (children and spouses) in case the enrollee or the person who was eligible to receive the basic pension for elderly dies. Payments will only be made in the case that certain eligibility requirements are met.

Inquiries

National Pension Group, Medical Treatment for the Elderly and Pension Section Tel: 03-3981-1952

Lump-sum payment in case of withdrawal

This is paid out to people who do not have Japanese nationality who have paid the premium for 6 months or more and who return to their home country without receiving the pension.

Lump-sum payment in case of withdrawal for short-stay foreigners / Website for Japan Pension Service( Displayed in another window )

Inquiries

Ikebukuro Pension Office, Japan Pension Service Tel: 03-3988-6011