Introduction to the National Pension Plan
(国民年金について)

Classification of Persons Insured under the National Pension Plan (国民年金の加入者について)

Persons insured under the National Pension Plan are classified into the following three categories. Procedures for enrollment in the National Pension Plan set for each of the categories are given below.
People who have moved from a country that has a social security agreement with Japan, and continue to enroll in the social security system in their home country may be exempted from enrollment in Japan's National Pension Plan. For details, please inquire at the pension office that has jurisdiction over your local ward.

（１）First-category insured persons

People who live in Japan, aged 20 to 60 years old, and who do not fall under the second and third categories shown below.

• People with foreign nationality (foreign residents) who fall under the first category are required to, first, complete alien registration procedures, and then apply for enrollment at the group　in charge of health insurance and pension programs at their local ward office.
• The enrollment procedures should also be completed when you have acquired Japanese nationality or have been naturalized in Japan.
• Please pay the national pension premium with the payment notice sent to you by the national pension office in charge of your ward. The monthly premium is 16,260 yen. (FY 2016)

（２）Second-category insured persons

Corporate or factory employees who are enrolled in an employee pension plan or other similar plans.

• Employees do not have to complete enrollment procedures, which are performed by employers (e.g., companies). For more information, please contact the appropriate division within your company.
• National pension premiums are automatically deducted from your salary and paid to the pension office by the employer.

（３）Third-category insured persons

Spouses aged 20 or older and under 60 years old and who are dependents of second-category insured persons (Dependent Spouses)

• Enrollment procedures are made by the employer of your spouse, who is the second-category insured person. For more information, please contact the appropriate division within your spouse's company.
• There is no need to pay premiums. These are covered by the second-category insured persons.

Pension Consultation Contacts (年金に関する相談先)

* Individuals who were given first-category insured status at the age of 20 and who have continued to hold such status until they reach the age of 60.

Lump Sum Withdrawal Payments (脱退一時金)

Foreign nationals who have left Japan may apply for a Lump Sum Withdrawal Payment if they have paid national pension premiums for a total of six months or more (the period when they held the second- or third-category insured status does not apply), but have not been enrolled in the National Pension Plan long enough to be eligible for old-age pension benefits. In this case, the application should be filed within two years after leaving Japan. The amount of the Lump Sum Withdrawal Payment varies depending on the number of months for which premiums were paid, as shown below.

* It should be noted that once you have received the Lump Sum Withdrawal Payment, the period for that payment is not calculated as a part of your pension insurance period under the Social Security Agreement between Japan and your country.

(If the last month of payment is in FY 2016）