Japanese Pension

[Tkydon]

Yes, I'm pointing out that it's an option for eligibility, as you said contributing/totalization agreements are the only options, which is not the case. Point 1 also covers those born Japanese who lived abroad.

I assumed the OP was neither a Japanese Citizen nor Permanent Resident, and was not Permanent Resident before coming to Japan in 2008.

Even if so, OP could get PR or naturalise, in which case those periods abroad would count towards elegibility.

Permanent Residents who live abroad after gaining their Japanese Citizenship or Permanent Residency can count periods abroad to the 120 months,

And before, I believe.

OP is also not the only person reading the thread, so I try to point out the general case too, for the benefit of other readers.

I stand corrected. I was reading the google translation ;-( Don't rely on machine translations !!!

The Original Japanese text...

主な合算対象期間

※は20歳以上60歳未満の期間に限ります。
1．昭和61年4月1日以降の期間

...
（5）昭和36年5月1日以降に日本国籍を取得した方又は永住許可を受けた方の、海外在住期間のうち、取得又は許可前の期間※

Clearly, 日本国籍を取得又は永住許可前の期間... ※は20歳以上60歳未満の期間に限ります。


2．昭和36年4月1日から昭和61年3月31日までの期間

...
（7）昭和36年5月1日以降に日本国籍を取得した方又は永住許可を受けた方の、海外在住期間のうち、取得又は許可前の期間※


Again, 日本国籍を取得又は永住許可前の期間... ※は20歳以上60歳未満の期間に限ります。


So, every Permanent Resident qualifies ???

Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to go back and correct mistakes for the record... ;-(

[adamu]

It's alright, because the wiki has the correct info

[Righty]

Wow thanks for the interesting information everyone but I am not sure if I understand it all fully. First of all my aim is for the Japanese part pension which is based on (10 years or 120 months of contributions). So I will share some information and listen to your replies. First of all I'm Australian. I am not a permanent residence of Japan. I lived in Australia til 31 years of age and became an expat. I was in full time employment in Australia from the ages of 18 to 26. I started paying into the Japanese pension system (employees insurance, employer pays half and I pay the other half) since October 2021. Just wondering can I count those working years in Australia as well as my Japan working years to be eligible for the Japanese part pension? Thanks, Kevin

[Tkydon]

Wow thanks for the interesting information everyone but I am not sure if I understand it all fully. First of all my aim is for the Japanese part pension which is based on (10 years or 120 months of contributions). So I will share some information and listen to your replies. First of all I'm Australian. I am not a permanent residence of Japan. I lived in Australia til 31 years of age and became an expat. I was in full time employment in Australia from the ages of 18 to 26. I started paying into the Japanese pension system (employees insurance, employer pays half and I pay the other half) since October 2021. Just wondering can I count those working years in Australia as well as my Japan working years to be eligible for the Japanese part pension? Thanks, Kevin

https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/ ... ralia.html

"1. Australian pension system for totalization

Australian pension system is comprised of the tax-funded Social Security system and the contribution-funded Superannuation Guarantee system. Australian Social Security system alone is subject to the totalization agreement with Japan. Furthermore, under the Agreement, only Japanese old-age pension and Australian Age Pension are subject to totalization.


See Diagram.

<Japan> ______________________________________________________ <Australia>
Employeee Pension Insurance, etc. <== Elimination of Dual Coverage ==> Superannuation Guarantee System

National Pension <================= Totalization =================> Social Security System

...

7. Coverage periods totalization for Australian Age Pension

Australian Age Pension benefits are paid to those who have lived in Australia over a certain "residence period" (period of residence of those who are an Australia citizen or hold a permanent visa). If you do not meet the residence requirements, however, you can be eligible for Australian Age Pension benefits by considering the period covered by the Japanese pension system as long as they are not for the same period covered by the Australian pension system. You need to have lived in Australia for over 12 months including 6 or more months consecutively to totalize the Japanese and Australian period for the benefits if you live outside Australia.

8. Australian benefit amount calculation under the Agreement

Your Australian Age Pension benefit amount is calculated under both the income and assets tests. According to the provisions of the Japan-Australia Social Security Agreement, part of Japanese pension benefits is subject to the income and assets tests

9. Coverage periods totalization for Japanese benefits

Australian Age Pension benefits are paid based on the residence period. When your Japanese period alone does not meet the eligibility requirements, you can include the period you worked as an employee or self-employed person during your residence period in Australia (the "period of Australian working life residence" specified in the Agreement) as long as the Australian period is not also covered by the Japanese system.

10. When your benefits are entitled and when to file your application

Australian Age Pension benefits are calculated on a daily basis. You will be able to receive benefits on the day you claim for the benefits if you apply for the benefits on or after you reach the pensionable age. Unlike the Japanese pension system, the Australian Age Pension benefits are not payable retroactively to the day you reach the pensionable age.
You can file an application for the Age Pension benefits 13 weeks before you reach the pensionable age.

11. Payments of Australian Age Pension

Australian Age Pension benefits are paid to you every month by either of the following methods.

Direct deposit to your bank account in Japan in Japanese yen
Check in Japanese yen

12. Income tax on Japanese pension benefits in Australia

If you receive Japanese pension benefits in Australia, your Japanese benefits are subject to income tax in Australia and exempt from Japanese income tax.
To be exempt from Japanese income tax under this rule, you must submit two completed "Application form for Income Tax Convention (Form 9)" to the Headquarters of Japan Pension Service. You can download the form from 新規ウインドウで開きます。the Japanese National Tax Agency website.(external website)"


So, you can use the years you paid into the Australian Social Security System before you came to Japan to get you over the 120 month hurdle for Japanese National Pension entitlement. Actual benefits will be paid by each country on actual contributions in that country.

[Righty]

Thanks for all the useful information! Much appreciated!

So, you can use the years you paid into the Australian Social Security System before you came to Japan to get you over the 120 month hurdle for Japanese National Pension entitlement.

I am a little confused when you said paid into the Australian Social Security System. Australia has a different system from Japan and other countries like the US. I worked from ages 18 to roughly 26 or 27 with 3 different employers in Australia. I paid income tax. I was not paying into a pension system because Australia does not have a system like in the US or Japan where you have to pay out of your salary each month to a pension fund. However I was enrolled in the Australian Superannuation Scheme which was compulsory. All my employers paid into on by behalf each pay day. I made no voluntarily contributions so it was just employer contributions. So the questions is just to clarify my understanding is "Have I paid into the Australian Social Security System before I came to Japan?" If so I can use those 8 or 9 years to get me over the line. Kevin

[Tkydon]

Thanks for all the useful information! Much appreciated!

So, you can use the years you paid into the Australian Social Security System before you came to Japan to get you over the 120 month hurdle for Japanese National Pension entitlement.

I am a little confused when you said paid into the Australian Social Security System. Australia has a different system from Japan and other countries like the US. I worked from ages 18 to roughly 26 or 27 with 3 different employers in Australia. I paid income tax. I was not paying into a pension system because Australia does not have a system like in the US or Japan where you have to pay out of your salary each month to a pension fund. However I was enrolled in the Australian Superannuation Scheme which was compulsory. All my employers paid into on by behalf each pay day. I made no voluntarily contributions so it was just employer contributions. So the questions is just to clarify my understanding is "Have I paid into the Australian Social Security System before I came to Japan?" Kevin

You should check with the Australian Social Security System / Australian Tax Authority whether you have any Qualified Tax-Funded Social Security Credits.

[Righty]

Great! Will do!

[Righty]

9. Coverage periods totalization for Japanese benefits
Australian Age Pension benefits are paid based on the residence period. When your Japanese period alone does not meet the eligibility requirements, you can include the period you worked as an employee or self-employed person during your residence period in Australia (the "period of Australian working life residence" specified in the Agreement) as long as the Australian period is not also covered by the Japanese system.

That pretty much means I'm over the line. Would you agree? I've paid since October 2021 (So 3 years) and I worked in Australia from 1988 to 1996 (8 years). So on the application form for the pension would you just write you worked in Australia for 8 years and they will look into it? Kevin