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Lump-sum Pension and tax refund

Disclaimer: We are not tax experts. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by current and former JETs and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

How to Get Your Refunds

All JETs pay into the Japanese Employee’s pension system during their time here, and after leaving are eligible to receive a portion of this money back. Former JETs are eligible for the

  1. Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment Pension, and the
  2. Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment Pension Tax Refund 

In order to receive these, please follow the guideline below.

Guideline
Do the following while still living in Japan:
1Submit “Address deletion” (tenshutsu todoke) to your City Hall. You can submit from 2 weeks before the time you will move out until the last day you are residing there.
2

Choose a tax representative. It can be a coworker, supervisor, or a Japanese friend. Fill out and submit “Declaration Naming a Person to Administer the Taxpayer’s Tax Affairs” (shotokuzei shouhi no nouzeikanrinin no todokesho) form with your tax representative and bring it either to a Social Insurance Office or the Tax Division of your Municipal office.

(Find the form (PDF) and the Instructions here)

3Fill out the “Application for the Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payments” (dattai ichijikin seikyuusho) pension form (find the forms in various languages here). You will bring this form as well as your pension book (nenkin techou) and some form of proof that you no longer have an address in Japan, when you return to your home country.
Do the following once you return to your home country:
4

After you return home, file for your Lump Sum Withdrawal Payment Pension by sending the documents below:

  1. Filled out “Application for the Lump Sum Withdrawal payments” pension form
  2. Blue pension book *do not forget to make a copy of your pension book before you send it in*
  3. Passport photocopies of the following information
    1. Name
    2. Date of birth
    3. Nationality
    4. Signature
    5. Work visa
    6. Date of final departure from Japan
  4. Copy of your “Address Deletion”
  5. Bank documents such as a copy of your home country’s
    1. Bank Statement
    2. Bank Passbook
    3. Verification document of your bank name, branch office, branch address, bank account number, and the full name of the account holder (must be your own)
          5After 3-6 months, you will receive the “Notice of the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Pension” in the mail and the payment in your home country’s bank account. Exchange rates apply.
          6Make a copy of the “Notice of the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Pension” and send the original to your Tax Representative.
          7Have your Tax Representative go to the same Tax Division of your Municipal Office and file your “Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Pension Tax Refund” (Kakuteishinkō-sho) (copy available only at Tax Office)
          8After 3-12 months your Tax Representative will receive your pension tax refund in their bank account.
          9

          Have your Tax Representative send you your pension tax refund money via international wire transfer. Exchange rates apply.

          Important Points

          • The initial Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Pension is about 79.58% of your pension – after tax deductions.
          • The remaining 20.42% is returned when filing for the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Pension Tax Refund.
          • In order to receive both pension and refund, you MUST turn in your Alien registration card at the airport upon final departure from Japan.
          • Application for refunds must be made within 2 years of leaving Japan.
          • Both the Niigata PAs and CLAIR can answer general questions about the refunds however they do not handle the paperwork. For more details, please contact the designated tax office of your residence in Japan.
          Period of CoverageEstimated amount refunded before tax*
          6 – 11 months¥140,000
          12 – 17 months¥280,000
          18 – 23 months¥420,000
          24 – 29 months¥560,000
          30 – 35 months¥700,000
          over 36 months¥840,000

          *calculated on a monthly remuneration of ¥300,000

          Published October 2016

          Updated July 3rd, 2018.