nenkin.go.jp National Pension System : Japan Pension Service

Organization : Japan Pension Service
Service Name : National Pension System
Country: Japan

Website : http://www.nenkin.go.jp/n/www/english/detail.jsp?id=38

National Pension System :

The National Pension is a public pension system participated by all persons aged 20 to 59 years who have an address in Japan, which provides benefits called the “Basic Pension” due to old age, disability, or death.

Related : Japan Pension Service How to Claim Disability Basic Pension : www.statusin.org/11112.html

Compulsory Coverage:
All registered residents of Japan aged 20 to 59 years must be covered by the National Pension system. The insured are categorized according to their status as follows:

Category 1- insured persons:
All registered residents of Japan aged 20 to 59 years who are not Category II or III insured persons (agriculture, forestry, or fishery business operators, self-employed persons, students, etc.)

Category 2- insured persons:
Persons enrolled in the Employees’ Pension Insurance system or Mutual Aid Associations (except for persons aged 65 to 69 years who are eligible to receive a pension due to old age or retirement)

Category 3- insured persons:
Category II insured person’s dependent spouses aged 20 to 59 years

How to Enroll in the System and Register yourself under each Category:
When you become subject to the Category I insured person, you need to register yourself at your Municipal Office within 14 days, by submitting the “Application to Enroll in National Pension as Category I Insured Person” (SHIKAKU SHUTOKU / SHUBETSU HENKO TODOKESHO – ICHIGO HIHOKENSHA).

When you become subject to the Category II insured person, your employer needs to enroll you in the Employees’ Pension Insurance or the Mutual Aid Associations. Within the procedure you are automatically enrolled in the National Pension, so you do not need to take extra procedure.

When you become a Category III insured person, have your spouse’s employer, etc. register you at the Japan Pension Service Branch Office (JPS Branch Office) that covers your spouse’s company within 14 days, by submitting the “Application to Enroll in National Pension as Category ? Insured Persons” (KOKUMIN NENKIN : SANGO HIHOKENSHA SHIKAKU SHUTOKU / SHUBETSU HENKO TODOKESHO).

Voluntary Coverage:
The following persons can enroll in the National Pension system on a voluntary basis;
(1) Persons aged 60 to 64 years who have not satisfied the minimum qualification period for Basic Pension benefits or who have not reached the maximum insured period to be eligible for full benefits
(2) Japanese citizens aged 20 to 64 years who reside in a foreign country
(3) Persons born on or before April 1, 1965, aged 65 to 69 years who have not satisfied the minimum qualification period

How to Enroll for Voluntary Coverage:
If you are subject to (1),(3) above, and wish to enroll voluntarily, you need to apply for enrollment at the Municipal Office where you reside. If you are subject to (2) above, you need to apply for enrollment at the JPS Branch Office in charge of your latest residence in Japan. If you have never resided in Japan, you need to apply at the JPS Chiyoda Branch Office, Tokyo.

Contributions:
The contribution amount for the National Pension is \15,590/month (for the fiscal year 2015: to be increased every April)

Payment of the Contributions:
Pay the contributions at a bank, post office, or convenience store using the payment notices sent to you by the Japan Pension Service. You may take advantage of a discount by opting for advance payment through automatic bank remittance, credit card payment, etc.