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Pension & Lump-sum Withdrawal Guide for Foreigners (How to Claim a Refund 2026)

Published 2026.06.04 ・ Updated 2026.07.15 | MRI Co., Ltd. — Zainichi Life Navi Editorial Team
📌 Key points
  • Foreigners working in Japan also pay into the National Pension or Employees' Pension.
  • When you leave Japan for good, you can claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment refunding part of what you paid in.
  • The article explains the eligibility requirements, how to apply, and a rough guide to the payment amount.

Foreigners who have worked in Japan pay into the National Pension and Employees' Pension, and can receive a partial refund called a lump-sum withdrawal payment when they leave the country. Both pension types are part of Japan's social insurance system, so understanding enrollment and contributions can help you plan ahead.

① What Is the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment?

It is a one-time payment that foreigners enrolled in Japan's pension system (National or Employees' Pension) can claim when leaving Japan. Part of the premiums you paid is refunded.

💡 Application deadlineYou must apply within 2 years of leaving Japan. After that you can no longer claim it.

② Eligibility

  • You are a foreign national (no Japanese nationality)
  • You paid National/Employees' Pension premiums for 6 months or more
  • You no longer have an address in Japan (after departure)
  • You have not met the 10-year qualifying period for an old-age pension

Note that those aged 40 or older also pay long-term care insurance premiums separately from pension — check if this applies before you leave.

③ How to Apply

  1. Leave Japan (remove your resident registration at the city office)
  2. Mail the "Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Claim" to the Japan Pension Service
  3. After review (about 2–3 months), payment is transferred to your designated account

④ Estimated Amount (Employees' Pension)

Enrollment periodAmount (at ¥200,000/month salary)
6 months~¥100,000
1 year~¥220,000
3 years~¥660,000
5 years~¥1,100,000

*These are estimates calculated using an average standard remuneration of ¥200,000/month (excluding bonuses) and an Employees' Pension contribution rate of 18.3%. Amounts are higher if you receive bonuses or a higher salary. Please confirm the actual amount with the Japan Pension Service.

💡 Cap to rise from 5 to 8 yearsA 2025 reform decided to raise the cap on the number of months used in the calculation from 5 years (60 months) to 8 years (96 months). Under the reform law and government ordinance, this is said to apply to those who lose their insured status and leave Japan on or after 1 April 2026. However, as of July 2026 the Japan Pension Service's official guidance still shows the cap as 60 months (5 years), so please confirm with the Japan Pension Service at the time of your claim whether the 8-year (96-month) cap applies to you.
⚠️ About taxesA 20.42% withholding tax is deducted from the lump-sum payment. Residents of countries with a tax treaty can claim a refund — see our tax return guide for how to file.

To receive the lump-sum withdrawal or a tax refund within Japan, you need a bank account.

How much of the lump-sum withdrawal you keep can depend on how you claim it and how it is taxed. Our sister site Zainichi Money Navi explains the take-home side, including the income-tax refund after leaving Japan, in Maximizing your lump-sum pension withdrawal (incl. tax refund). If you plan to keep working in Japan and build up savings, see also How foreign residents can start investing with NISA.

FAQ

Q: By when must I apply?You must apply within 2 years of leaving Japan. After that you can no longer claim it.
Q: How much can I receive?It depends on your enrollment period and salary. At ¥200,000/month for 5 years, about ¥1,100,000 is a guideline.
Q: Can I claim it under the National Pension too?Yes. With 6+ months under the National Pension you can claim it, though the amount is smaller than under the Employees' Pension.

Sources

※Rules may change. Please check the official sites for the latest information.

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年金の脱退一時金にあわせて、住民税・確定申告・銀行口座開設・iDeCo・NISAなどお金まわりの深掘りは姉妹サイト「在日マネーナビ」が便利です。Alongside lump-sum pension withdrawal, deep dives on resident tax, tax filing, bank account opening, iDeCo and NISA are on our sister site Zainichi Money Navi.脱退一时金之外，住民税·确定申告·开户·iDeCo·NISA等金融深度内容请见姊妹站「在日マネーナビ」。Bên cạnh tiền hoàn nenkin, thuế cư trú, khai thuế, mở tài khoản, iDeCo, NISA chi tiết — xem trang đồng hành Zainichi Money Navi.

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