Japan Pension Refund (脱退一時金) 2026 — Eligibility, Refund Calculator & 2-Year Deadline Guide | VisaSHOGUN

🏛️ Admin Scrivener Supervised 📅 Last updated: June 2026 💴 Claim within 2 years of leaving Japan

Japan Pension Refund
脱退一時金 — Complete Guide 2026

If you've paid into Japan's pension system and are leaving — or have already left — you can claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment (脱退一時金). Many foreign residents never claim it. This guide shows you exactly how, how much, and the strict time limits involved.

  • Who qualifies and the 4 strict eligibility conditions
  • How much you'll get — the calculation formula explained simply
  • Interactive refund estimator: enter your months and see your estimate
  • Step-by-step application guide: before and after leaving Japan
  • The 2-year deadline — and why it matters more than you think
  • How to receive the payment from overseas (Wise is the easiest option)
💴 Estimate My Refund 📋 How to Apply ⚡ Check Eligibility →
⏰
2-year deadline: You have exactly 2 years from the date you leave Japan to claim the pension refund. Miss it and the money is gone — permanently. See the deadline guide →
⚠️
Do not apply while still registered as a resident in Japan. The 脱退一時金 can only be claimed after you have left Japan AND deregistered your Japan address. Applying while still in Japan will be rejected. Correct timing guide →
💡 This page contains affiliate links to Wise. If you open an account through our link, VisaSHOGUN may earn a small commission — at no cost to you. Full disclosure policy →
All guides supervised by a licensed Administrative Scrivener (行政書士). Based on Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) official procedures. Last updated: June 2026.
What Is It? Eligibility Refund Calculator Timing Rules How to Apply 2-Year Deadline Receiving Payment FAQ
Home › Money in Japan › Pension Refund
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Based on Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) official guidelines. Reference: Nenkin.go.jp: 脱退一時金. Last updated: June 2026.

The Basics

What Is the 脱退一時金 (Dattai Ichiji-kin)?

The 脱退一時金 (lump-sum withdrawal payment) is Japan's mechanism for allowing foreign nationals who have paid into the pension system to reclaim a portion of those contributions when they permanently leave Japan. It is available for both the national pension (国民年金) and the employees' pension (厚生年金).

Japan's pension system does not pay out regular retirement benefits to non-residents who didn't accumulate the minimum 10 years required for a pension. The 脱退一時金 is a one-time partial refund — you get back some of what you paid in, but not everything. Think of it as a partial exit payment, not a full refund.

Feature Details
Japanese name 脱退一時金 (Dattai Ichiji-kin) — literally "withdrawal lump sum"
Who can claim Foreign nationals who have paid into Japan's pension and left (or are leaving) Japan permanently
Minimum contribution period 6 months of pension contributions (国民年金 or 厚生年金)
Maximum claimable period 60 months (5 years) — even if you paid for longer, only 60 months counts
Application deadline Within 2 years of leaving Japan (departure date)
Where to apply Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) — by mail from overseas
Tax withholding 20.42% withheld at source. You can reclaim some via tax treaty (see below).
Are You Eligible?

4 Conditions — All Must Be Met

The 脱退一時金 is only available if all four of the following conditions are satisfied simultaneously.

# Condition Details
① You are a foreign national Japanese nationals cannot claim the 脱退一時金. PR holders are in a grey area — see FAQ below.
② You have paid pension for 6+ months Minimum 6 months of contributions to either 国民年金 or 厚生年金 (or combined). Months with approved exemption (免除) do not count toward this minimum.
③ You no longer have an address in Japan You must have left Japan AND deregistered your address (転出届). Cannot apply while still registered as a resident in Japan.
④ You have not yet reached age 65 (国民年金) / pension age (厚生年金) And you have not begun receiving any Japanese pension benefits.
⚡ Quick Eligibility Check
Check all that apply to your situation right now.
⚠️ Social security agreements may change your options

Japan has social security agreements with certain countries (Germany, USA, France, UK, South Korea, Canada, Australia, and others). These agreements may allow your Japan pension contributions to count toward your home country's pension instead of claiming the 脱退一時金. In some cases, keeping the contributions in the Japan system and claiming a pension at retirement may actually be more valuable than the lump-sum withdrawal. Consult a specialist if you are from a country with a social security agreement with Japan.

Refund Estimator

How Much Will You Get?

The 脱退一時金 amount depends on your average monthly standard remuneration (平均標準報酬額) and how many months you contributed. The maximum claimable period is 60 months regardless of how long you actually worked in Japan.

The Official Calculation (厚生年金 / Employees' Pension)

Refund amount = Average monthly standard remuneration × Contribution months (max 60) × Multiplier coefficient

Where the multiplier coefficient (支給率) varies by contribution period:
6–11 months → 0.5  |  12–17 → 1.1  |  18–23 → 1.6  |  24–29 → 2.2  |  30–35 → 2.7  |  36–41 → 3.2  |  42–47 → 3.7  |  48–53 → 4.2  |  54–59 → 4.7  |  60 months → 5.0

Note: 20.42% withholding tax is deducted at source. Net payment = calculated amount × 0.7958. Tax treaty residents may be able to reclaim some withheld tax.
💴 脱退一時金 Refund Estimator
Enter your details for an estimated refund. This is an approximation — actual amounts are calculated by the Japan Pension Service based on your official records.
—
Estimated net refund (after 20.42% withholding tax)
⚠️ This is an estimate only. Actual amounts are calculated by the Japan Pension Service based on your official contribution record. The calculation uses the 厚生年金 standard remuneration table — your actual 標準報酬月額 may differ slightly from your gross salary. Tax treaty situations require separate tax filing in Japan or your home country.
💡 国民年金 (National Pension) — flat rate, different calculation

If you were self-employed, freelance, or between jobs and paid into 国民年金 directly, the calculation is different: ¥5,000 × number of months paid (max 60). The maximum refund from 国民年金 alone is ¥300,000 (before tax). Most employed workers are on 厚生年金 which typically yields significantly higher refunds.

When to Apply — Critical

Timing: Before and After Leaving Japan

The timing rules for the 脱退一時金 are strict. Getting this wrong — especially applying at the wrong time — can result in rejection or forfeiting the refund.

Before
Still in Japan
❌ Cannot apply — wait until after you leave
The 脱退一時金 cannot be applied for while you are still registered as a resident in Japan. Even if you have already stopped working, your application will be rejected if you still have a Japan address registration. Prepare your documents now, but do not submit.
Step 1
Before departure day
File 転出届 at municipal office (address deregistration)
Notify your ward/city office that you are leaving Japan. This deregisters your Japan address. This is the trigger that enables your 脱退一時金 application. You can file this on your departure date or a few days before. You will receive a 転出証明書 (proof of deregistration) — keep it.
Step 2
At departure
Return residence card at the airport
Hand in your residence card (在留カード) at the immigration counter at the airport when you depart Japan permanently. This officially terminates your Japan residency. Your departure date is now the start of the 2-year application window.
Step 3
From outside Japan
Apply to Japan Pension Service by mail
Send the completed 脱退一時金 application form to the Japan Pension Service. Application is by international mail — there is no online application option. The process takes approximately 2–3 months after submission.
Deadline
Within 2 years of departure
⏰ Hard deadline — miss it and lose everything
The application must be received by the Japan Pension Service within 2 years of your departure date. There are no extensions, no exceptions, and no appeals. The date that matters is when Japan Pension Service receives your application — not when you send it. Factor in international postal time.
The Application

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Documents Required

Document Details Where to Get
脱退一時金支給申請書
(Application form)		 The official application form from Japan Pension Service Download from nenkin.go.jp, or request by mail from Japan Pension Service
Passport copy Copy of the passport page showing your name, nationality, and date of birth. Also include the Japan entry/exit stamps showing your departure. Your own passport
Basic pension number (基礎年金番号) Your 10-digit pension number. Found on your 年金手帳 (pension book) or any pension-related correspondence. 年金手帳, or check nenkin.go.jp with マイナンバーカード
Bank account details for overseas transfer Bank name, SWIFT code, account number, account holder name. Must be a bank outside Japan. Your overseas bank or Wise account details
Proof of address deregistration 転出証明書 (deregistration certificate) from your Japanese municipality Municipal office when you file 転出届

Where to Send

Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構)
〒168-8505 東京都杉並区高井戸西3丁目5番24号
International mail: Japan Pension Service, 3-5-24 Takaido-nishi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 168-8505, Japan
Send by registered/tracked international mail. Processing: approximately 2–3 months after receipt. Payment made by international bank transfer to the account you specified.
⚠️ Application processing time eats into your 2-year window

The 2-year deadline is based on receipt of your application, but processing takes 2–3 months after that. If you apply in month 23, your application should be received before month 24 — but give yourself a buffer. Ideally apply within 6–12 months of leaving Japan while documents are fresh and the deadline is not a concern.

⏰ The Deadline That Kills Claims

The 2-Year Deadline — Why So Many People Miss It

The 2-year deadline for the 脱退一時金 is the single biggest reason eligible foreign residents lose their money. Here is why it happens and how to make sure it doesn't happen to you.

Scenario Result
Left Japan 14 months ago, apply now ✅ Within window — apply immediately
Left Japan 23 months ago, application received on day 730 ✅ Just within deadline
Left Japan 24 months and 1 day ago ❌ Deadline missed — no appeal possible
Left Japan years ago and "forgot about it" ❌ Money forfeited — very common
Left Japan, re-entered on a new visa, left again ⚠️ Complex — 2-year clock may reset from final departure. Consult specialist.
🚨 If you left Japan more than 18 months ago — apply this week

International mail from many countries to Japan takes 2–4 weeks. If your 2-year window is closing, factor in postal time. Apply immediately if you have less than 3 months remaining. There is no extension, no hardship exception, and no appeal process for missed deadlines.

💚 Set a reminder before you leave Japan

The best time to think about the 脱退一時金 is before you leave Japan — when you still have access to all your pension documents and municipal office certificates. Add a calendar reminder for 18 months after your planned departure date: "Apply for Japan pension refund — 6 months left before deadline."

Getting Your Money

How to Receive the Payment from Overseas

The Japan Pension Service pays the 脱退一時金 by international bank transfer to the overseas account you specify on the application form. You need a bank account outside Japan to receive it.

💚 Recommended for Most
Use Wise to Receive Your Pension Refund
Wise gives you a real bank account number in your home country (US, UK, EU, Australia, Singapore, and many more). Perfect for receiving the pension refund payment — and converting it to your local currency at the best available rate.
Open Wise Account (Free) → Get your local bank account number instantly
* Affiliate link — VisaSHOGUN may earn a commission if you open an account. No cost to you.
What to Put on the Application Form

The application form asks for your overseas bank details. You will need:

  • Bank name: For Wise: "Wise Payments Limited" (varies by country — use the details shown in your Wise account)
  • SWIFT/BIC code: Shown in your Wise account under "Account Details"
  • Account number / IBAN: Your Wise local account number for your currency
  • Account holder name: Must match your name exactly as shown on your passport
  • Bank address: Provided in your Wise account details
    • 💡 Tax considerations: 20.42% is withheld

    Japan withholds 20.42% tax from the 脱退一時金 before paying. If your country has a tax treaty with Japan, you may be able to reclaim some or all of the withheld tax — either through a Japan tax refund application (filed separately) or through your home country's tax return. The process varies by country. Residents of Germany, UK, Australia, US, Canada, and South Korea should specifically check treaty provisions as these countries have social security agreements with Japan that may affect your options.

    Before You Leave Japan

    Pre-Departure Checklist

    Prepare these things before leaving Japan — it is much harder to gather documents from overseas.

    📋 Documents to Gather Before Leaving
    • 基礎年金番号 (pension number) — noted down or photographed from 年金手帳 or nenkin.go.jp
    • 年金手帳 (pension booklet) — bring it with you when you leave
    • Recent 源泉徴収票 (withholding tax certificate) — shows your standard remuneration for calculation reference
    • Overseas bank account details ready (SWIFT code, account number, bank address)
    • Downloaded 脱退一時金 application form from nenkin.go.jp
    📋 Departure Day Actions
    • Filed 転出届 at municipal office — received 転出証明書
    • Handed in residence card at airport immigration counter
    • Noted exact departure date (this starts the 2-year clock)
    • Set calendar reminder for "pension refund deadline" at 18 months after departure
    📮 From Overseas — Application
    • Completed 脱退一時金 application form
    • Passport copy (name page + Japan departure stamp)
    • Copy of 転出証明書
    • Overseas bank account details completed on form (or Wise account details)
    • Sent by tracked international mail to Japan Pension Service address
    • Kept tracking number and copy of everything sent
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    Frequently Asked

    脱退一時金 FAQ

    Reviewed by a licensed Administrative Scrivener based on real cases.

    Generally yes — PR holders who leave Japan permanently and deregister their Japan address can claim the 脱退一時金 as long as they meet all other conditions (6+ months contributions, not yet receiving pension, under 65). Holding PR does not disqualify you from the refund if you are actually leaving Japan. The key condition is that you are a foreign national (not a Japanese citizen) — PR holders retain foreign nationality and are eligible. If you are leaving Japan and considering later returning, think carefully: claiming 脱退一時金 resets your pension record, which could affect future PR re-applications or pension accumulation if you return.
    The 60-month cap is a legal cap set by Japan's pension law. The reasoning is that the 脱退一時金 is designed as a partial exit mechanism — not a full refund. For people who contributed more than 5 years, the unclaimed contributions effectively subsidise the system. This is one of the reasons people staying in Japan long-term are generally better off not claiming the 脱退一時金 and instead accumulating toward the full pension benefit (which requires 10 years minimum). For someone with 8 years of contributions, the decision between claiming now vs. accumulating toward a future pension (if they might return to Japan) is worth calculating carefully.
    Claiming the 脱退一時金 resets your pension record — those months are removed from your Japan pension history. If you later return to Japan and work again, you start accumulating pension contributions from zero. Additionally, there may be a waiting period before you can claim again after re-entering Japan. Re-entering Japan and re-accumulating pension contributions is possible, but claiming the refund is best treated as a one-time exit action, not something to do casually if you plan to return.
    Unfortunately no — the 2-year deadline is absolute. Japan Pension Service does not grant extensions for any reason, and there is no appeal process. Once the 2-year window has passed, the contributions are permanently forfeited. This is one of the most common and most unfortunate situations we see. The only thing you can do now is note this for future Japan-related decisions.
    Yes — you can appoint a representative (代理人) in Japan to assist with the application, particularly for gathering documents that may still be in Japan. However, the application itself is typically submitted by the applicant from outside Japan (since it can only be submitted after leaving). A licensed administrative scrivener (行政書士) can help with the document preparation and application process for a fee — if your case is complex (long contribution history, potential social security agreement implications, or you're close to the deadline), this may be worth the cost.
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    Don't leave Japan with unclaimed pension contributions

    Set your reminder. Apply before the 2-year deadline.

    The 脱退一時金 is money you paid in — don't let it expire. Set a reminder now, and open a Wise account to receive the international transfer seamlessly when it arrives.

    Supervised by a licensed Administrative Scrivener (行政書士) · Updated June 2026 · Affiliate disclosure: Wise links are affiliate links

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