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Complete Guide to Japan's Pension System for Foreigners
⚡ 30-second answer: National Pension ¥16,610/month (FY2026), Employee Pension 18.3% of salary (split 9.15% each between employer and employee). Foreigners with visas exceeding 3 months must enroll, with "Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment" available on departure (up to 5 years / 60 months). Social security agreements with 23 countries — US, Germany, UK, Korea, Australia can avoid dual enrollment.
Quick reference
Value
National Pension
¥16,610/month
Employee Pension
Salary × 18.3% (split)
Payout start
Age 65
Years to qualify
10
Lump-sum cap
60 months
Last verified
June 2026
✓ Last verified: Jun 2026
📖5 min read
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Contents
30-Second Answer
Japan's public pension is a two-tier system: National Pension (Tier 1) and Employee Pension (Tier 2). Foreigners with visas over 3 months and an address in Japan must enroll. Company employees pay Employee Pension (18.3% of salary, split 50/50); the self-employed and unemployed pay National Pension (¥16,610/month, FY2026). Payouts start at age 65, with a 10-year minimum contribution requirement. Returning home before 10 years? Apply for "Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment" — up to 60 months (5 years) refunded (Employee Pension scales with salary; National Pension capped at ¥508,800 for 5 years). Social security agreements with 23 countries (US, Germany, UK, Korea, Australia, Canada, France, etc.) let postings under 5 years pay only home pension; over 5 years means Japan enrollment. Without an agreement, dual enrollment is unavoidable — recover via Lump-Sum Withdrawal.
Additional pension: +¥400/month → +¥200/month for life
National Pension Fund: ¥6,000-¥68,000/month (optional)
iDeCo: ¥5,000-¥68,000/month (self-employed cap)
Employee Pension: 18.3% of salary (split 9.15% each)
Health Insurance bundled: ~10% of salary separately
Long-term care (40+): +~1.6%
Payout start age: 65
Full (40 years) basic pension: ¥831,696/year
Average Employee Pension (model): ¥145,000-¥225,000/month
Lump-sum (National Pension 5 yr): ~¥508,800
Lump-sum (Employee Pension): Salary-based
Tax: Public pension is miscellaneous income
A ¥300,000/month employee pays ¥27,490 in pension (self-portion after split); self-employed pay ¥16,610 plus any optional.
Support for Tourists and Foreigners
English support: Japan Pension Service "Foreigner Hotline" (0570-028-115), foreigner desks at pension offices (Shinjuku, Minato, Shibuya), and FRESC (Foreign Residents Support Center, Yotsuya). Lump-sum applications can be mailed within 2 years after departure, with English-version forms on the Japan Pension Service site. Payment to Japan bank in JPY, or overseas via SWIFT (¥3,000-¥10,000 deduction). Routing through Wise or Revolut local bank accounts keeps post-receipt FX costs at 0.4-0.7%. Social security agreement countries should obtain a "Certificate of Coverage" before posting to avoid dual enrollment. Agreement specifics vary by country — confirm with the home-country social insurance consultant pre-arrival.
Enrollment and Withdrawal Flow
STEP 1: Visa status, residence record
STEP 2: Enroll via pension office or company
STEP 3: Receive Basic Pension Number notice
STEP 4: Monthly premiums (auto-deducted from salary)