Dealing with Unpaid Pensions when Applying for Naturalization
When foreign nationals in Japan apply for naturalization, regular payment of a pension is also a condition for approval of the application. However, some foreign nationals in Japan do not know how the pension system works or whether it is even possible to pay into the state pension. Therefore, in this article, you will learn how to enroll in the pension system as a foreign national, what to do when you apply for naturalization, and what you can do if you have not paid into your pension.
Enrollment in the national pension system for foreigners
The National Pension Act was enacted in 1959. Originally, foreigners were not allowed to enroll in the national pension system.
However, the law was amended in 1982 and the restrictions on nationality were removed, allowing foreigners to join the national pension system.
The individual must have been enrolled in the Japanese pension system for 25 years.
Since you will be paying into your pension for a long period of time, it is not uncommon for foreigners not to pay into the national pension system or to stop paying into it.
You will often be instructed to contact a pension office in such cases.
Good conduct requirement for the naturalization application
Good conduct is one of the basic requirements for the naturalization application. Among the requirements included in the good conduct requirement is verification of pension payments.
Therefore, when you apply for naturalization, you must submit documents such as the “Nenkin Teikibin".
When you apply for naturalization, you will be asked about the status of pension payments for one year.
The “Nenkin Teikibin" is a postcard or sealed letter that is sent each year during your birth month to tell you how much insurance you have paid and to give you information about your future pension benefits.
The content and format may vary depending on age.
However, it is not uncommon for Nenkin Teikibin to be accidentally discarded or lost.
If you no longer have your Nenkin Teikibin, you may submit an “Insured Document Request Form".
The “Insured Document Request Form" is a document issued by the Japan Pension Service that lists your past pension history.
On the Internet, you can view the electronic version of the “Insured Document Request and Response Form" through the “Nenkin Net of the Japan Pension Service".
You can request the response form for insured records from your nearest pension office or obtain it by phone.
What to do with the unpaid pension when you apply for naturalization?
If you have not paid the pension, you can meet the good conduct requirement if you make a lump sum payment for the last year.
Since the government pension is about 15,000 yen per month, you would have to pay about 180,000 yen in arrears.
However, in some cases, those who cannot pay a pension due to their low income may be eligible for an exemption. You can contact the pension office to apply for an exemption.
Summary
One of the requirements for applying for naturalization is good conduct, which includes whether the applicant pays into the National Pension.
The National Pension Act was enacted in 1959, and initially foreigners were not allowed to pay into the National Pension.
However, the law was amended in 1982 and the restrictions on citizenship were removed, allowing foreigners to join the National Pension System.
On the other hand, it is not uncommon for foreigners not to pay into their pension. If you have not paid into your pension, you can meet the good conduct requirement if you pay in a lump sum for the last year.