How do I separate PET bottles correctly in Shibuya-ku?

Remove the cap and label, rinse the bottle, and crush it flat. In Shibuya-ku, PET bottles are collected on the designated recycling day. Place them in a transparent or semi-transparent bag separate from other recyclables.

Best mobile carrier for foreigners in Japan with English support?

Ahamo by NTT Docomo is popular among foreigners because the app is available in English, plans start at 2,970 yen per month for 20GB, and no Japanese credit card is required. Other foreigner-friendly options include Rakuten Mobile and IIJmio.

How to open a bank account in Japan without a Japanese phone number?

Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is the most foreigner-friendly option. They accept applications with just your residence card and do not strictly require a Japanese phone number at all branches. Visit a larger post office branch for the best experience.

How do I separate PET bottles correctly in Shibuya-ku?

Remove the cap and label, rinse the bottle, and crush it flat. In Shibuya-ku, PET bottles are collected on the designated recycling day. Place them in a transparent or semi-transparent bag separate from other recyclables.

Best mobile carrier for foreigners in Japan with English support?

Ahamo by NTT Docomo is popular among foreigners because the app is available in English, plans start at 2,970 yen per month for 20GB, and no Japanese credit card is required. Other foreigner-friendly options include Rakuten Mobile and IIJmio.

How to open a bank account in Japan without a Japanese phone number?

Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is the most foreigner-friendly option. They accept applications with just your residence card and do not strictly require a Japanese phone number at all branches. Visit a larger post office branch for the best experience.

Back to Home

Pension Refund Calculator

年金脱退一時金

💰 Get ¥500,000 - ¥2,000,000+ back when you leave Japan!

If you paid into the Japanese pension system and are leaving permanently, you can claim a lump-sum refund.

Calculate Your Refund

Years worked in Japan

1 year3 years10 years

Average monthly salary

Am I Eligible?

You are NOT a Japanese national

You paid Kousei Nenkin for at least 6 months

You no longer have an address in Japan

You have not qualified for Japanese pension (10+ years)

You apply within 2 years of leaving

How to Claim (Step by Step)

Before Leaving Japan

Get your Pension Book (年金手帳) and final payslip.

Leave Japan

Submit moving-out notification (転出届) at city hall.

Download the Form

Get form 脱退一時金裁定請求書 from Japan Pension Service.

Fill Out the Form

Include foreign bank details, passport copy, residence card copy.

Mail to Japan

Send to: Japan Pension Service, Tokyo 168-8505, JAPAN

Wait 3-6 Months

Refund will be transferred to your overseas bank.

💡 Yamada Hack: Get the 20% Tax Back Too!

The government withholds 20% as tax. Get it back by appointing a Tax Representative before leaving!

• File form 納税管理人届出書 at your local tax office before leaving
• Your tax rep files for your refund
• This can add ¥100,000+ to your total!

Official Forms

Lump-Sum Withdrawal Form

脱退一時金裁定請求書 (PDF)

Japan Pension Service

Official English website

Important Deadline

You must apply within 2 years of leaving Japan!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Can I get my pension back if I leave Japan?

✅ Yes! If you paid into Kousei Nenkin (厚生年金) for 6+ months and leave Japan permanently, you can claim a lump-sum refund.

❓ How much will I get?

✅ Depends on your salary and years worked. Use our calculator above! Typical range is ¥300,000 to ¥2,000,000.

❓ When should I apply?

✅ AFTER leaving Japan. You must apply within 2 years of leaving, or you lose the right forever.

❓ What is the 20% tax?

✅ Japan withholds 20% from your refund. You can get this back by appointing a Tax Representative before leaving.

❓ Where do I send the application?

✅ Japan Pension Service in Tokyo. Mail your form with passport copy, residence card copy, and bank details.

❓ How long does it take?

✅ Usually 3-6 months after they receive your application. Money is sent to your overseas bank.

Japan Pension Lump-Sum Withdrawal Guide

The Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment (脱退一時金) allows foreigners who contributed to Japan's pension system to claim a refund when leaving Japan permanently. You must apply within 2 years of leaving Japan.

Eligibility: You must have paid into the pension system for at least 6 months, have no address in Japan, and not qualify for a Japanese pension (which requires 10+ years of contributions). The refund covers contributions up to 60 months (5 years) maximum.

The refund amount depends on your average salary and months contributed. Expect approximately ¥50,000-70,000 per year of contributions for National Pension, and more for Employees' Pension based on your salary level.

Apply by mailing forms to the Japan Pension Service after leaving Japan. Required documents: Application form, pension book copy, passport copy showing departure, and foreign bank account details. Processing takes 3-6 months.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This tool provides estimates for educational purposes only. Tax laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed tax professional (税理士) or your local tax office for advice specific to your situation.

How to Use the Pension Refund Calculator

Select the total number of months (or years) you contributed to the Japanese pension system — this includes both national pension (kokumin nenkin) and social insurance pension (kosei nenkin) contributions.

Enter your average monthly salary during your time working in Japan, which determines the size of your shakai hoken (employee pension) contributions.

Choose the year you plan to depart or have already departed Japan, as the refund amount formula and tax rules can vary slightly over time.

Review your results: the calculator displays your estimated gross refund amount, the mandatory 20.42% withholding tax that Japan deducts, your net amount received, and a realistic timeline showing each step of the application process.

Check whether appointing a tax representative (zeirishi or a qualified individual) in Japan after your departure could allow you to file for a tax refund and recover a portion of the withheld 20.42%, which is often possible under Japan's tax treaty arrangements.

Why So Many Foreigners Leave Japan Without Claiming Their Pension Money

Every foreigner working legally in Japan contributes to the pension system — it is not optional. National pension contributions are approximately ¥16,590 per month, while employees on company social insurance pay roughly 9% of their gross salary, with their employer matching that amount. Over one, two, or five years of working in Japan, this adds up to a significant sum. The Japanese government allows foreign nationals who permanently leave Japan to claim a lump-sum withdrawal refund of up to 36 months (3 years) of employee pension contributions — or up to 60 months (5 years) if you qualify under certain conditions.

The problem is that the vast majority of foreigners leave Japan without ever knowing this benefit exists. There is no automatic notification, no reminder from your employer, and no English-language outreach from the Japan Pension Service. As a result, enormous sums of money go unclaimed every year — money that legally belongs to the people who paid it in. The application window is strict: you must apply after leaving Japan and must complete the process within 2 years of your departure date.

Common mistakes compound the problem. Many applicants forget to keep their overseas bank account details updated with the pension office. Others miss the critical second step: filing a tax refund claim through a Japanese tax representative after receiving the lump sum, which can recover a significant portion of the 20.42% withholding tax. This calculator shows you exactly what you are owed, so you can leave Japan with every yen that belongs to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The lump-sum withdrawal payment (dattai ichijikin) allows foreigners who leave Japan to reclaim a portion of the pension contributions they paid into the kosei nenkin system. The refund amount is based on your average standard monthly salary and the number of months contributed, capped at a maximum of 60 months (5 years) regardless of how long you actually paid in. This Japan pension refund is a meaningful sum for most long-term workers and is worth claiming when you leave.

To be eligible for the Japan pension dattai ichijikin refund you must meet all of these conditions: you contributed to kosei nenkin or national pension for at least 6 months, you are not a Japanese national, you no longer have a Japanese address registered in Japan, and you apply within 2 years of leaving Japan. If Japan has a social security agreement with your home country, you may have different options including transferring your contribution years rather than claiming a refund.

Processing time for the Japan pension dattai ichijikin payment is typically 3 to 6 months after the Japan Pension Service (Nihon Nenkin Kikou) receives your complete application. The refund is paid by international bank transfer in Japanese yen to the overseas bank account you specify on the application form. Ensure your bank details including SWIFT code are accurate to avoid payment delays.

Yes, Japan withholds 20.42% income tax from the pension refund payment at source before sending it to you. If Japan has a tax treaty with your home country, you may be able to file a Japanese income tax return through a tax representative (zeinishi dairi) in Japan to reclaim some or all of this withheld amount. The tax reclaim process requires appointing a representative in Japan and filing within the prescribed deadline.

Yes, and in fact you must have already left Japan and deregistered your address before you can apply for the pension refund. Send your completed application form by international post to the Japan Pension Service headquarters along with a copy of your passport showing your departure, your last Certificate of Residence (juminhyo) showing that you have cancelled your registration, and your bank account details. Allow extra weeks for international postal processing time.