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For one, two, three or even more years now you will have been begrudgingly contributing to the Japanese Pension System. Every month a deduction is made from your salary for the National Pension Insurance, a kind of social security system. As a person not possessingJapanese citizenship, you are eligible for a one-off lump sum withdrawalof a percentage of the total amount you have contributed throughout your time with JET.
You must leave Japan after completing your contract to be eligiblefor the refund. Don't forget to hand in your Alien Registration card at the Airport - you cannot keep this as a souvenir.
The following figures only apply to JETs whose contracts expire in July/August 2004:
| Arrived: | Months on JET: | Refund Vale: | After Tax(@20%): |
| July 2001 | 36 | 846,000yen | 676,800yen |
| July 2002 | 24 | 534,000yen | 427,200yen |
| July 2003 | 12 | 240,000yen | 192,000yen |
In April 2003, the Health Insurance and Pension Refund scheme was amended. Since then JETs have been paying slightly lower contributions. The result of this is that the total amount that can be obtained via the refund has been reduced. Put simply, all contributions you made up to April 2003 will be calculated at the old (higher) rate, and those made since April 2003 at the lower rate. Thoseof us whose time on JET spanned this amendment will notice that our refunds are significantlylower (or higher, depending on which set of rates you look at) than expected.
The following figures apply to ALL JETs who arrived in Japan after April 2003:
| Months on JET: | Refund Rate: (% of monthly remuneration) |
Refund Vale: | After Tax(@20%): |
| 6 - 11 months | 40% | 120,000yen | 96,000yen |
| 12 - 17 months | 80% | 240,000yen | 192,000yen |
| 18 - 23 months | 120% | 360,000yen | 288,000yen |
| 24 -29 months | 160% | 480,000yen | 384,000yen |
| 30 - 35 months | 200% | 600,000yen | 480,000yen |
| 36 months+ | 240% | 720,000yen | 576,000yen |
PENSION REFUND APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
1. Before leaving Japan, pick up an application form called a "Request of Arbitration for Lump-sum WithdrawalBenefit", from any Social Insurance Office. Alternatively, your local city/ town/ village hall may also have the form available in their Pensions Section.
2. The form is very simple, and instructions are available in English, Spanish as well as other languages. You will need to give simple personal information (date of birth, etc), in addition to designating a bank account for the refund to be paid into. The account must be in your name (be your account) and be held in your home country. The bank should then stamp your form to prove that the account number and other details are correct. If this is not possible then a simple bank statement should suffice for this purpose. You will also need to write your pension system number at the bottom of the form. If you have a blue pension book, use the "Basic Pension Number" box. If you have an orange book, fill in the "Employee's Pension Insurance Registration Number" box. Don't worry too much, just make sure that the number itself is correct.
3. Before leaving Japan, designate somebody to be your tax representative. Do this by obtaining and filling out a "Declaration Naming a Person to Administer the Taxpayer's Tax Affairs" form, also available from the Social Insurance Office. You can ask your supervisor or contracting organisation to be your representative.
4. Get hold of your Pension Book, if you don't already have it. (Your office may have been looking after it for you.)
5. As soon as you arrive in your home country, send the completed "Request of Arbitration for Lump-Sum WithdrawalBenefit" back to the following address:
Social Insurance Agency:
Takaido Nishi 3-5-25, Suginami-ku
Tokyo 168-8505
JAPAN
Be sure to include with your application form:
- Your Japanese Pension Book (Blue, sometimes Orange)
- Copies of passport pages showing your name, date of birth, date of departure from Japan, nationality, resident status and signature.
- Verificationby your bank of your account details (if the form is not stamped).
Don't forget to make a copy of your application before you send it.
6. Two to six months later, your refund we be credited to your account. Around the same time, you will receive a 'receipt of payment' in the post. Send this to your designated tax representative in Japan, who will file it at the tax office on your behalf. They will receive the tax rebate, and then send it on to you (provided you give them your account details).
NOTES
- Pension Refund claims must be filed within two years of leaving japan.
- A person with a Japanese spouse or child is not barred from collecting the refund, provided they are not themselves a Japanese citizen.
- You are advised not to spend the refund in advance, as the whole process may take up to a year to complete.
| pension refund | biza | |
| Social Insurance Office | 切れる | kireru |
| "Request of Arbitration for Lm-SumWithdrawalBenefit" form | 短期滞在 ビザ | tanki taizai biza |
| Lump-Sum Withdrawalpayment | 入国管理局 | nyuukoku kanri kyoku |
| "Declaration Naming a Person to Administer the Taxpayer's Tax Affairs" form | 特別休暇 | tokubetsu kyuuka |
| Tax Representative | 納税管理人 | nouzei kanrinin |