What happens to my pension if I change my nationality?
Currently, citizens between the ages of 20 and 60 are required to join the National Pension Plan. Pension benefits are then basically paid from the age of 65, depending on the length of enrollment. This system also applies to foreign nationals residing in Japan. However, even Japanese nationals are generally required to withdraw from the system if they move abroad.
Pension and Nationality
First, regarding the Japanese pension system, anyone between the ages of 20 and 60 with a domicile in Japan must enroll in the National Pension Plan. In this case, nationality is irrelevant. Even if you are a foreign national, you are eligible to join the National Pension Plan if you are registered as a resident of Japan.
Foreign nationals should bring their residence card or special permanent resident certificate, personal seal, and basic pension number notification card or pension booklet (if they have joined before) to the municipal office of the city, ward, town or village where they live to complete the enrollment procedures. The company’s general affairs department will handle all procedures related to the Employees’ Pension Plan.
In principle, National Pension benefits are paid from the age of 65, but the condition for eligibility is to have paid pension premiums for at least 10 years. In principle, the Employees’ Pension is also paid from the age of 65.
Pension for those who have changed their nationality to a foreign national
What happens to the pension if a former Japanese national changes his/her nationality to a foreign nationality due to international marriage, etc.?
As explained earlier, if you are registered as a resident in Japan, you are required to join the National Pension Plan regardless of whether you are a Japanese or a foreign citizen. Therefore, even if you marry a foreign national and become a foreign citizen, you will continue to be covered by the National Pension Plan as long as you reside in Japan.
Pension Plan in the Case of Emigration Abroad
What happens to the pension plan of a Japanese citizen who moves abroad?
As explained earlier, regardless of nationality, anyone between the ages of 20 and 60 who is registered as a resident of Japan must join the National Pension Plan. However, if you move abroad, you will be removed from the “registered resident in Japan” requirement, and you will have to withdraw from the National Pension Plan.
In this case, you can receive the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payments if you meet the following conditions
・The applicant has changed to a foreign nationality and does not have a domicile in Japan.
・The applicant is not insured by public pension insurance.
・You have paid insurance premiums for at least 6 months.
・The applicant has fulfilled the eligibility period for receiving the old-age pension.
・The applicant has never qualified to receive a basic disability pension.
・Two or more years have not passed since you lost your eligibility to be insured under the public pension system.
If you are moving abroad but still have Japanese citizenship, you may continue to participate in the National Pension Plan on a voluntary basis without withdrawing from it.
In this case, if you continue to pay premiums and meet the requirements for receiving benefits, you will receive an old-age pension corresponding to the period of payment. In addition, if your spouse dies or becomes disabled due to illness or injury while you are living abroad, you will receive a survivor’s pension or disability pension. This is an effective method if you do not want to waste the premiums you paid while in Japan.
Conclusion
Pension is an important system to support your life in old age. In addition, those who reside in Japan are required to join the system regardless of their nationality. However, if you move abroad, you are basically required to withdraw from the system, but you may continue to participate in it.
