Pension Lump-sum Withdrawal When Leaving Japan
Check eligibility, the two-year claim window, tax handling, and the effect on future pension records.
Procedure at a glance
- Who this is for
- Non-Japanese pension members leaving Japan
- Deadline
- Generally within two years after losing Japanese residence
Do this todayCheck contribution records and Basic Pension Number
If the deadline is near or passedIf the claim deadline is near or may have passed, gather the departure date, date you ceased having a Japanese address, and contribution record, then contact JPS immediately.
Where to goPension office, Japan Pension Service, and tax office when needed
lump-sum withdrawalpensionleaving Japan
Official information checked: 2026-07-18Review status: Reviewed
Step-by-step guide
Follow these steps
Progress: 0/4 completed
1Confirm your case and deadlineCheck pension records / Check every eligibility condition
What to do
- 1Use Nenkin Net or a pension office to confirm the Basic Pension Number, paid National Pension months, Employees' Pension periods, and last eligibility-loss date
- 2Check every current Japan Pension Service condition, including nationality, no current coverage, no Japanese address, and qualifying months
Check before you start
- Check contribution records and Basic Pension Number
- Ask a pension office whether claiming fits your future plans
- Before leaving, check move-out notice, receiving account, and tax representative needs
If the deadline is near or passed
- If the claim deadline is near or may have passed, gather the departure date, date you ceased having a Japanese address, and contribution record, then contact JPS immediately.
2Prepare the office and documentsCompare agreements and future pension / Complete pre-departure steps
What to do
- 1Compare social-security agreement aggregation and future Japanese pension rights; confirm that periods before the claim can no longer be used after receiving the lump sum
- 2Before departure, file municipal move-out, confirm employer coverage termination and an account that can receive funds abroad, and keep Basic Pension Number evidence
Basic items to bring
- Claim form
- Passport copy
- Evidence or records showing no address in Japan
- Bank account evidence
- Basic Pension Number document
Fees
- The claim itself is generally free. Postage, translation, tax handling, transfer, or bank fees may be separate.
Online options
- Use the latest Japan Pension Service claim method and address. Do not treat online preparation as submission; track mailing and receipt.
If you cannot go
- Proxy rules differ. Before visiting, confirm who may act, whether a power of attorney is needed, and which original IDs the proxy must bring.
If documents are missing
- If a document is missing, do not guess or substitute it. Tell the office its exact name and ask whether you can consult first, submit it later, and where to obtain it.
3File or applyPrepare the latest claim documents / Mail with tracking by the deadline
What to do
- 1Use the latest claim form and prepare the passport, bank verification, Basic Pension Number evidence, and other attachments on the official checklist
- 2Confirm the official deadline counted from losing a Japanese address or the applicable event, send the claim with tracking, and keep a complete copy
Time to completion
- Decision and overseas payment take time. Keep a copy of the claim, mailing proof, Basic Pension Number, and receiving account details.
4Confirm completion and the next deadlineCheck the decision and tax follow-up
What to do
- 1Save the decision and deposit; if tax was withheld from an Employees' Pension payment, ask the tax office whether the tax representative appointed before departure should file for a refund
Confirm at completion
- Documents, receiving account, and deadline for overseas filing are confirmed
- Claim copy, pension-record impact, and tax follow-up are saved
What you receive
- Check the decision notice, amount, covered period, and withholding, and keep documents needed for any tax refund.
Check before leaving
- Before leaving, check your name, address, covered period, and procedure type, then ask about the next deadline and contact method.
Records to keep
- Keep the reference number, filing date, office, copies of submitted documents, and next contact date. Save confirmation screens and emails for online filings.
Next action
- Confirm the loss of pension record for paid periods, any social-security agreement impact, income-tax refund, and continued access to the receiving account.
Confirm with the official office
- This page cannot determine the latest form, appointment and hours, municipality-specific additions, individual review, or same-day handling. Confirm these immediately before filing.
- Nationality, contribution period, agreement, return plans, and tax
Important cautions
- The claim is generally due within two years after losing your address in Japan
- Claimed periods cannot count toward future Japanese pension entitlement
- Employees' Pension payments may have income tax withheld; confirm tax handling professionally
Useful Japanese phrases
Pension Lump-sum Withdrawal When Leaving Japan
この件について相談したいです。必要なものと次に行く場所を教えてください。
Kono ken ni tsuite sodan shitai desu. Hitsuyo na mono to tsugi ni iku basho o oshiete kudasai.
I would like to ask about this issue. Please tell me what I need and where I should go next.
Counter
この手続きに必要なものを教えてください。
Kono tetsuzuki ni hitsuyo na mono o oshiete kudasai.
Please tell me what I need for this procedure.
Official sources
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