National Pension in Japan for Foreigners: How to Enroll, Pay, and Claim a Refund 2026

Japan's national pension (国民年金, kokumin nenkin) is one of the most misunderstood obligations for foreigners living in Japan. Whether you're on a student visa, a work visa, or a spouse visa, chances are you are legally required to enroll — and the penalties for ignoring it can follow you long after you leave the country.

This guide covers everything foreigners need to know in 2026: who must enroll, how much you pay, how to apply for an exemption, and most importantly, how to claim your lump-sum refund (脱退一時金) when you leave Japan.

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Table of Contents

1. What Is Japan's National Pension (国民年金)?
2. Are Foreigners Required to Pay?
3. How Much Is the Premium in 2026?
4. How to Enroll as a Foreigner
5. Lump Sum Withdrawal When Leaving Japan (脱退一時金)
6. Pension and Your Future in Japan
7. Frequently Asked Questions

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What Is Japan's National Pension (国民年金)?

Japan operates a two-tier public pension system. The first tier — the one this article focuses on — is the National Pension (国民年金, Kokumin Nenkin), a flat-rate contributory pension that covers virtually all residents of Japan between the ages of 20 and 59. The second tier is the Employees' Pension Insurance (厚生年金, Kosei Nenkin), an income-linked pension administered through employers.

Both systems are managed under Japan's Social Insurance framework and are coordinated through the Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構).

How It Differs from Workplace Pension (厚生年金)

Feature	National Pension (国民年金)	Employees' Pension (厚生年金)
Who enrolls	Self-employed, students, unemployed, part-time workers	Full-time employees at companies
Premium	Flat rate (¥16,980/month in 2026)	Income-based, split with employer
Enrollment	City Hall or automatic via employer	Automatic via employer
Benefit	Flat-rate old-age pension	Income-linked + includes national pension

If you work full-time at a company in Japan, your employer will automatically enroll you in Kosei Nenkin, which also covers your Kokumin Nenkin contribution. You do not need to enroll separately at City Hall in that case.

If you are a student, self-employed, work part-time below the threshold, or are between jobs, you are in Category 1 (第1号被保険者) and must enroll in and pay Kokumin Nenkin yourself.

Who Must Enroll?

Under the National Pension Act, all residents of Japan aged 20 to 59 who are registered at a municipality (i.e., have a residence registration) are required to enroll. This includes foreign nationals. There are no exemptions based on nationality alone.

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Are Foreigners Required to Pay National Pension in Japan?

Yes. Since 1982, Japan's national pension system has applied equally to Japanese citizens and foreign nationals. If you hold a valid residence card and are registered at your local City Hall, you are legally obligated to enroll.

Visa Types That Must Enroll

The following visa holders are typically required to enroll in National Pension:

• Work visas (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities, Skilled Labor, Intracompany Transferee, etc.)
• Student visas (留学, ryugaku) — though exemption is available
• Spouse/dependent visas (配偶者, 家族滞在)
• Permanent residents (永住者)
• Long-term residents (定住者)
• Specified skilled worker (特定技能)

Note: Short-stay visitors (tourist visa, 90-day or less) are not required to enroll and are not eligible for benefits. Diplomats are also excluded.

If you are employed full-time by a company that participates in the employees' pension scheme, your enrollment in Kosei Nenkin satisfies your national pension obligation automatically.

How to Apply for Exemption

Foreign residents on lower incomes — particularly students and part-time workers — can apply for a premium exemption (保険料免除) or reduced payment (納付猶予) at their local City Hall.

There are four levels of exemption based on household income:

Exemption Level	Percentage Exempted	Future Pension Credit
Full exemption (全額免除)	100%	1/2 of full credit
Three-quarter exemption (3/4免除)	75%	5/8 of full credit
Half exemption (半額免除)	50%	6/8 of full credit
One-quarter exemption (1/4免除)	25%	7/8 of full credit
Student납付猶予	100% (deferred)	No credit (can pay retroactively)

To apply for an exemption:
1. Visit your local City Hall (市区町村役場)
2. Bring your residence card (在留カード) and My Number (マイナンバー)
3. Complete the 保険料免除・納付猶予申請書 form
4. Income verification may be required

Applications cover July of the current year through June of the following year, so apply annually.

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How Much Is National Pension in Japan?

2026 Monthly Premium

The flat monthly contribution for National Pension in 2026 is:

¥16,980 per month

This amount is revised slightly each year. Paying by bank transfer or credit card (direct debit) entitles you to a ¥50 discount per month. Paying in advance (前納) for 6 or 12 months at once gives further discounts:

Payment Period	Discount
2 years in advance	Approx. ¥14,590 discount
1 year in advance	Approx. ¥3,520 discount
6 months in advance	Approx. ¥800 discount

Reduced Payment and Exemption Schemes

Beyond the income-based exemption described above, several special schemes exist:

• Student Payment Special Provision (学生納付特例): Full deferral for university/graduate students. The deferred amounts can be paid retroactively within 10 years (with interest). If not paid back, they do not count toward your future pension.
• Young Person Deferral (若年者猶予): For those aged 20–49 who are not students but have low income.
• Disability or hardship: Full exemption may be granted in cases of severe disability or natural disaster.

Even if you receive a full exemption, you remain enrolled — the exemption only waives your payment obligation, not your status as a participant.

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How to Enroll in National Pension as a Foreigner

Automatic Enrollment vs. Applying at City Hall

In most cases, enrollment happens automatically when you register your address at the City Hall after arriving in Japan. The City Hall sends your information to the Japan Pension Service, which then mails you a pension book (年金手帳) or a Basic Pension Number notification (基礎年金番号通知書) and a payment slip.

However, if you have changed jobs, moved municipalities, or transitioned from employer coverage to self-coverage, you may need to manually enroll or update your records.

When you must actively enroll yourself:
- Leaving a company (quitting or being dismissed) — you must switch from Kosei Nenkin to Kokumin Nenkin within 14 days
- Turning 20 years old while in Japan on a student or dependent visa
- Moving from abroad to Japan for the first time

Required Documents

Bring the following to your local City Hall:

Document	Notes
Residence card (在留カード)	Must be valid
My Number card or notification letter	For identity verification
Pension book or Basic Pension Number	If you already have one
Stamp (印鑑)	May be required at some offices
Bank account details	For setting up direct debit payment

The enrollment process is free and typically takes 15–30 minutes. Staff at major City Halls in urban areas often have multilingual support or access to interpretation services.

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Lump Sum Withdrawal Payment When Leaving Japan (脱退一時金)

This is the section most foreigners want to know about. Yes, you can get some of your pension contributions back when you leave Japan permanently — this is called the Lump Sum Withdrawal Payment (脱退一時金, dattai ichijikin).

Who Is Eligible?

To claim the lump-sum refund, you must meet all of the following conditions:

1. You are not a Japanese citizen
2. You have never received a Japanese pension (old-age, disability, survivor)
3. You have paid National Pension premiums for at least 6 months (Kokumin Nenkin) — or had salary deductions for Kosei Nenkin for at least 6 months
4. You no longer have an address in Japan (i.e., you have already left and canceled your residence registration)
5. You submit the claim within 2 years of leaving Japan

Important: If you have accumulated 10 years or more of total pension coverage (including Kosei Nenkin), you become eligible to receive a regular pension at retirement age. In that case, you should carefully weigh whether claiming the lump-sum refund is financially beneficial, as it cancels all your accumulated pension rights.

How Much Will You Receive?

The refund amount is based on the average standard remuneration and the number of months you contributed, up to a maximum of 60 months (5 years) for Kokumin Nenkin claims. The refund does not return 100% of what you paid — it is calculated using a formula set by the government.

For Kokumin Nenkin, the refund is calculated as:

Monthly premium × Number of months contributed (max 60) × Refund ratio

The refund ratio ranges from approximately 0.5 to 0.875, depending on the number of months. In practice, many people receive roughly 50–80% of what they paid in.

For Kosei Nenkin, the formula is based on average monthly remuneration and is generally higher in absolute terms.

A 20% withholding tax is deducted at source, but if your home country has a tax treaty with Japan, you may be able to reclaim this amount through your country's tax authority.

How to Apply

You must apply after leaving Japan by submitting the claim form to the Japan Pension Service from abroad.

Step-by-step process:

1. Before leaving Japan: Cancel your residence registration (転出届) at the City Hall. Designate a tax representative in Japan (税務代理人) if needed.
2. After leaving Japan: Download the Lump Sum Withdrawal Payment Claim Form (脱退一時金請求書) from the Japan Pension Service website.
3. Complete the form with your Basic Pension Number, bank account abroad (or Japanese account held by your representative), and supporting documents.
4. Mail the completed application to the Japan Pension Service with the following documents:
   • Copy of passport (photo page + entry/exit stamps showing departure)
   • Pension book or Basic Pension Number notification
   • Bank account details for receiving the refund
   • Proof of address outside Japan (if available)
5. Wait for processing — typically 3–6 months.

The refund will be transferred in Japanese yen to your designated account. If receiving to an overseas account, international transfer fees may apply.

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Pension and Your Future in Japan

If you are planning to stay in Japan long-term or permanently, consistently paying into the National Pension system is genuinely valuable. To receive a full old-age pension at retirement, you need at least 10 years of coverage (120 months). The maximum pension is paid out after 40 years of coverage (480 months).

Japan has Social Security Agreements (社会保障協定) with numerous countries including Germany, the United States, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. These agreements allow periods of pension contribution in both countries to be combined when determining eligibility — so contributions you made in your home country may count toward Japan's 10-year requirement, and vice versa.

If you are from a country with such an agreement, do not claim the lump-sum refund lightly — your Japanese contributions may be portable and add to your home country pension rights.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do foreigners have to pay national pension in Japan?

Yes. Since 1982, Japan's national pension law applies equally to all residents regardless of nationality. Any foreign national aged 20–59 who is registered at a Japanese municipality is legally required to enroll in the national pension. The only exceptions are short-term visitors (tourist/visa-on-arrival stays under 3 months) and diplomats. Failure to pay can result in unpaid premium notices and, in rare cases, forced collection from assets.

How much is the national pension contribution in Japan per month?

In 2026, the monthly premium is ¥16,980. This is a flat rate that applies equally to all Category 1 enrollees regardless of income. Discounts are available for advance payment, and income-based full or partial exemptions are available for those who qualify (students, low-income residents). Even with a full exemption, you remain enrolled in the system.

Can I get my pension money back when I leave Japan?

Yes, through the Lump Sum Withdrawal Payment (脱退一時金). Non-Japanese residents who have paid into the pension system for at least 6 months and have permanently left Japan can apply for a partial refund within 2 years of departure. The refund covers a maximum of 60 months of contributions, and approximately 20% withholding tax is applied. The actual refund is typically 50–80% of contributions made, not a full return.

How do I apply for a pension exemption in Japan?

Visit your local City Hall and request the 保険料免除・納付猶予申請書 (Premium Exemption/Deferral Application Form). You will need your residence card, My Number, and income documentation. Exemptions are income-based and cover July–June each year, so you need to reapply annually. Students can also apply for the Student Payment Special Provision (学生納付特例), which defers payment entirely and can be paid back retroactively within 10 years.

What is the difference between national pension and workplace pension in Japan?

National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin) is Japan's first-tier, flat-rate pension that covers all residents aged 20–59. It pays a flat monthly benefit at retirement. Employees' Pension (Kosei Nenkin) is the second-tier, income-linked pension for full-time salaried workers, jointly paid by employee and employer. Enrollment in Kosei Nenkin automatically includes Kokumin Nenkin coverage — you do not need to enroll separately at City Hall. Self-employed people, students, and part-time workers below the enrollment threshold pay only Kokumin Nenkin directly.

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This article is provided for general informational purposes. Pension rules change periodically — always verify the latest contribution amounts and procedures with the Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) or your local City Hall. For complex situations involving bilateral social security agreements or long-term residency, consult a licensed social insurance labor consultant (社会保険労務士).

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Employees' Pension Insurance (厚生年金保険)

Japan has two main pension systems. The Employees' Pension Insurance (厚生年金保険) covers company employees and provides significantly higher benefits than the National Pension alone.

Who Is Enrolled

All employees working at a company with 5 or more employees are automatically enrolled in the Employees' Pension Insurance. This includes foreign nationals on work visas.

Unlike the National Pension (国民年金), you do NOT need to enroll yourself — your employer handles it.

Premium Structure

• Premium rate: 18.3% of your monthly salary (standard monthly remuneration 標準報酬月額)
• Split equally: You pay 9.15%; your employer pays 9.15%
• Example: If your monthly salary is ¥300,000, you pay approximately ¥27,450/month; your employer pays the same

Note: The employees' pension premium is collected in addition to your National Pension contribution — but they are collected as one combined payment from your paycheck.

Benefits

Employees' pension insurance provides benefits on top of the National Pension:

Benefit	Description
Old-age employees' pension (老齢厚生年金)	Monthly pension based on salary and years of contribution, in addition to National Pension
Disability employees' pension (障害厚生年金)	Additional monthly payment if you become disabled while enrolled
Survivors' employees' pension (遺族厚生年金)	Monthly payment to surviving dependents if you die while enrolled

Retirement Pension Amount (Estimate)

Your future employees' pension amount depends on:
- Your average salary (standard remuneration) throughout your career
- Total months you paid into the employees' pension

Rough estimate formula: Monthly pension ≈ (Average monthly remuneration) × (Total months of coverage) × 0.0005481

Example: ¥300,000 average salary × 240 months (20 years) × 0.0005481 ≈ ¥39,463/month from employees' pension alone (in addition to the standard National Pension amount)

Checking Your Pension Record

• Visit nenkin.go.jp and create an account to check your pension payment history
• You'll need your pension number (基礎年金番号) or My Number card
• You can check total months paid, estimated future benefits, and correct any errors in the record

Pension for Foreigners Who Leave Japan (脱退一時金)

If you leave Japan permanently without qualifying for a pension:
- You can claim a lump-sum withdrawal (脱退一時金) if you paid employees' pension for 6+ months
- This also applies to National Pension contributions
- Apply within 2 years of leaving Japan — see the main Pension section for details

Disability Pension from Employees' Insurance

If you become permanently disabled (Grade 1 or 2) while enrolled in employees' pension insurance:
- You receive a disability employees' pension on top of the disability national pension
- No minimum contribution requirement for sudden disability (only 2/3 of months must have contributions paid — different from standard rules)

For employees on short-term assignments: Some countries have social security agreements (社会保障協定) with Japan to prevent double payment of pension contributions. Countries with agreements include USA, UK, Germany, France, South Korea, China, Australia, and others. If your home country has an agreement, you may be exempt from Japanese pension contributions — consult your employer's HR department.