How to Claim Your Japan Pension (Nenkin) Lump-Sum Withdrawal When You Leave
Worked in Japan and paid into the pension system? Here's how to claim back the money most people leave on the table.
Feb 13, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 3 min read
Worked in Japan and paid into the pension system? Here's how to claim back the money most people leave on the table.
If you paid into Japan's national pension system — Nenkin (年金) — while working there on a visa, you're likely owed a refund when you leave. This one-time payout is called the Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment (Dattai Ichijikin / 脱退一時金), and it's the kind of money most expats never bother to claim. Don't be one of them.
1. Do You Qualify?
You're eligible if you tick all four boxes:
- You contributed to Nenkin for at least 6 months
- You are not a Japanese national
- You have left Japan and cancelled your residency registration (or your residence card has expired)
- You apply within 2 years of leaving Japan
2. How Much Will You Get?
The payout is calculated as: Average monthly salary × Refund rate × Months contributed
| Months Contributed | Refund Multiplier (2026) |
|---|---|
| 6–11 months | × 9 months |
| 12–17 months | × 12 months |
| 18–23 months | × 14 months |
| 24–35 months | × 16 months |
| 36–47 months | × 19 months |
| 48+ months (max 60) | × 20 months |
⚠️ Heads up: Japan withholds a flat 20.42% tax at source before sending your refund. Depending on the tax treaty between Japan and your home country, you may be able to reclaim some or all of that through a Japanese tax agent — worth looking into if your payout is significant.
3. How to Apply
Option 1: Apply Before You Leave Japan
- Visit your local Nenkin Service Office (年金事務所 / Nenkin Jimusho)
- Pick up and complete the 脱退一時金 (Lump-Sum Withdrawal) form
- Submit once you have a confirmed overseas address — or authorise a trusted representative in Japan to handle it on your behalf
Option 2: Apply From Home (After You've Left)
- Download the application form from nenkin.go.jp — an English version is available
- Complete the form and attach: a copy of your passport and proof that you have left Japan (e.g. departure stamp or cancelled resident card)
- Post everything to the Japan Pension Service at the address on the form
- Your refund will be wired to your overseas bank account within 3–6 months
💰 Pro tip: Several Japan-based accounting and legal firms offer a remote Nenkin refund service — they handle all the paperwork for a fee of around 10–15% of your payout. If bureaucracy isn't your idea of fun, it's a genuinely painless option.
