RetireJapan

Hi...I wonder if anyone has applied for unemployment benefits post-retirement and can give me advice on the process and how to assure/maximize the payment?

Unimployment insurance is a small part of the Shakkai Hokken monthly payment I made for 25 years. I retired in March and when I was in the financial affairs office at my university I was told I would probably get a one time payment from the Unemployment office if I went to the Hello Work office and applied for it. This surprised me as I decided to leave the job, but perhaps on some level I could be considered laid off as full time employment had ended two years earlier and moved to an annual tokunin contract.

Anyway, I went last week to Hello Work and it took a few hours, several forms and two interviews. I had to state the kind of job I would like, hours I wanted to work etc. My understanding is if I indicate I am actively able and willing to work, I can get some unemployment benefits. In the Financial Affairs Office in my university they were pretty vague and seemed to say I might get one lump sum, or I might get more than one or I might get nothing. I am scheduled for a second interview in a week and wonder if any one has been through this process and has some advice for me.
Thanks!

It's not an area I'm familiar with, but it looks like there are some official English guideline PDFs here.

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsu ... 00003.html

I retired as normal on 3/31 some years ago (定年) and got a lump sum I think it was later in June. My personnel dept did make me aware of the 'benefit', and I went to Hello Work a couple times that May, maybe two weeks apart.

I did go thru the motions--the questions about what kind of work I'd be interested in, how far a commute, physical restrictions, etc.

IIRC, it was ¥318,000--a nice perk for all those 雇用保険 deductions. It crossed my mind that I could've gone downtown with that and shopped for a gold watch...

I was in uni teaching, and could have stayed on doing some part time hours, but had I done that, I don't think I would have been eligible for this payment. If anyone is in a similar situation, consider delaying taking on part time classes until the following autumn or later.

Thanks! I was told to expect about 200,000 yen but there seemed to be some chance to get more. I notice you went to the office a couple of times to at least appear interested in working. I will try that and see. Good tip about taking a bit of time off before starting any new work.

Adding to my previous reply. I went for my second interview at Hello Work 2 weeks after the initial interview. The gal asked if I had found work since my last visit and I hadn't, so she moved right to telling me I would be gettin 271,000 yen in the next week or so. It's a one time payment. Be aware that if you are over 65 you only get a one time payment. There does not seem to be an option for collecting the 50-80% salary for a few months like those younger than 65 who become unemployed due to a contract finishing. Also, I think the amount of the one time payment is based on your earnings in the past 6 months, so those that retire directly from a full salary professor position may get more than those like myself who opted for a smaller "tokunin" salary for the years after retireing from a full time position.