Pension Refund

The Pension Reform Bill was promulgated on November 9, 1994 so that a Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment (pension refund) can be granted on request to those who have enrolled in Japanese public pension schemes but who then leave the country. All JET Programme participants pay into the Japanese Pension, therefore most will be able to claim a refund, provided the JET participant meets all of the eligibility criteria.

Please download this pdf which contains further information about Pension Refunds and theTax Refund on Lump-sum Withdrawal payment as found in the General Information Handbook. The pdf also includes a translatition of the Japanese documents.

Filing for the pension refund, officially called the "Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment", and the tax refund associated with its pay-out is a 7-step process that begins just before the JET leaves Japan.

1. Before leaving, complete and submit the necessary refund application forms and Tax Representative Designation form (a translation of the Tax Representative Designation form can be found here).
2. After leaving Japan, mail necessary forms
3. Receive Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment into overseas bank account
4. Mail notice of refund to Tax Representative in Japan
5. Tax representative files for refund of tax on lump-sum withdrawal
6. Tax representative receives tax refund
7. Tax representative transfers money to former JET participant

Upon payment of the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment, the period of enrolment corresponding to the paid amount is nullified. Therefore, participants from Canada will need to assess the benefit of receiving the refund or combining the coverage periods in Japan and their home country.