GUIDE · PENSION REFUND
Pension lump-sum withdrawal
脱退一時金For foreign staff (and owners) leaving Japan
Foreign employees who leave Japan without qualifying for a Japanese pension can claim a lump-sum refund — a common question at exit interviews.
Claim within
2 years
After leaving Japan
Minimum
6 months
Of contributions
Cap
60 months
Counted in the payment
Tax
20.42%
Withheld on the employee pension part
Who can claim
- People without Japanese nationality who paid into the Japanese pension for at least 6 months
- Who have left Japan and never had the right to a Japanese pension
- Claimed within 2 years of no longer having an address in Japan
The 60-month cap — and a trade-off
The payment is calculated on up to 60 months of contributions (for people whose last contribution month is April 2021 or later). Claiming it cancels all earlier Japanese pension periods — which can matter if the person might return or if their country has a social security agreement with Japan.
For the employees’ pension part, 20.42% income tax is withheld for non-residents. It can sometimes be reclaimed through a tax return filed by a tax representative.
What employers can do
- Handle the loss of insurance coverage when they leave — see Hiring and social insurance
- Point leaving foreign staff to the Japan Pension Service’s multilingual guide
- Mention the social security agreement option for staff from agreement countries
FAQ
Can foreigners get their Japanese pension contributions back?
Yes. People without Japanese nationality who paid in for at least six months and left Japan can claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment within two years.
How many months does the lump-sum withdrawal cover?
Up to 60 months for people whose last contribution month is April 2021 or later. Earlier periods are cancelled when you claim.
Is the pension refund taxed?
For the employees’ pension part, 20.42% income tax is withheld for non-residents.
Sources
- Lump-sum withdrawal payment — how to claim (脱退一時金) — Japan Pension Service
- For foreign nationals leaving Japan (English leaflet) — Japan Pension Service
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.
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