Can you keep your pension if you change jobs in Japan?

[thejapanguy]

I will be leaving the Eikaiwa I'm working for very soon and was wondering about pension money. Almost every teacher who went back home got their final check, bonus, and pension once they left Japan.
So I was wondering, can a person can receive their pension (after leaving Japan) and then come back to Japan to work? Any insight would be helpful. Thank you,
Donald

 

[Petaris]

I would think you would be able to. Your pension account would just start at zero again would be my guess. But I was under the impression that you couldn't collect your pension until a certain age like social security in the US? Its a good question and I will be interested to find out the answer.

 

[Glenski]

Your colleagues have not received "pension" upon leaving Japan. They more than likely collected what is called a lump sum withdrawal, essentially most of the last 3 years' worth of payments (up to a limit).
http://www.sia.go.jp/e/lw.html

I have read reports from people on various discussion forums, where they claimed to have done what you propose. You must file for the pension lump sum withdrawal within 2 years of leaving Japan, and although it will be taxed 20 percent; you can get most of that back.

As Petaris wrote, you will probably start the pension again at square one upon your return. If you keep up your pension payments while you are out of the country, you won't have to worry about it. Are you just trying to use the system to get this money and remain a worker for less than 25 years?

BTW, don't ask city hall or your ward office for advice on this. They will only tell you that you cannot do it, because technically it is against policy.

 

[thejapanguy]

I see...useful link, Glenski. I'm thinking about my options. More than likely, I'll just leave the pension as is and keep accumulating payments with the next job. But I'm thinking about it...

 

[Petaris]

You may as well being I believe you have to pay into it anyway. From what I understand from my wife its mandatory just like SS is in the US. Besides, you might be glad its there one day.

 

[Glenski]

It is mandatory by law, yes, but if you don't have shakai hoken (which automatically puts you on a pension plan), then you have to sign up for it (nenkin) separately along with your health insurance (kokumin kenko hoken). Ward office will only tell you you have to do this; they will not slam your face to the floor, put you in a hammerlock, and force you to do it.