Pension & Health Insurance payments

[Hana_Mizu]

I'm quitting my job here (Japan) and returning to the U.K. for an indefinite period of time. The reasons why are private, so I'd rather not go into that.
Anyway, would anyone on this forum know if I'd have to continue with my pension and health insurance payments, or can I opt out for the period I'm away? If/when I do return and opt back into the pension and health insurance systems, would I just carry on paying my contributions from where I left off? Will I have to pay the "missing" contributions for period I was away?

Thanks.

Hana

[Taro Toporific]

Originally Posted by Hana_Mizu

...
Anyway, would anyone on this forum know if I'd have to continue with my pension and health insurance payments, or can I opt out for the period I'm away? ...

If you have Perm. Residency or Japanese Citizenship, I've heard that this is a BIG problem. Most younger J-people don't pay and upon returning they're screwed by owing for back-payment of pension contributions but not health insurance.

For an FG returning, my question is WHY? ' As the dog returns to his vomit.... --Proverbs 26/11

I assume JPN pension and health insurance payments aren't needed if you are paying them in your home country IF that country has a "Swap Contributions" treaty for pensions..

Somebody else have more thoughts about this problem since I'm not sure?

[kamome]

On the assumption that quitting your job and returning to the UK suffices for the purpose of breaking your residency in Japan, you should owe no more pension payments in Japan. There is no "opting out" for foreigners who leave the country; as I understand it, you are simply under no more obligation to pay and the Japanese authorities have no mechanism to reach you anyway.

How long will you be away? To be safe, there should be enough evidence that you did not plan to return to Japan at the time you left--such as giving up your gaijin card, expiration of your visa, significant time lapse between leaving and returning, etc.

If this is a major concern for you, check with your ku-yakusho (if you live in Tokyo) or other local governmental body in charge of pension/social insurance payments.

[Taro Toporific]

Originally Posted by kamome

To be safe, there should be enough evidence that you did not plan to return to Japan at the time you left--such as giving up your gaijin card, expiration of your visa, significant time lapse between leaving and returning, etc..

RIGHT Birdboy kamome! Thanks.
England has a "Swap Contributions" treaty for pensions and "giving up your gaijin card" is a formal declaration of leaving Japan.

[Hana_Mizu]

Originally Posted by Taro Toporific

If you have Perm. Residency or Japanese Citizenship, I've heard that this is a BIG problem. Most younger J-people don't pay and upon returning they're screwed by owing for back-payment of pension contributions but not health insurance.

For an FG returning, my question is WHY?

I assume JPN pension and health insurance payments aren't needed if you are paying them in your home country IF that country has a "Swap Contributions" treaty for pensions..

I don't have Perm. Residency or Japanese Citizenship, but I have a feeling I'm still pretty screwed.

I will HAVE to return sometime (don't know when) because my wife (Japanese) and kid are here.

I'm 99% sure the U.K. are one of the few countries to have this pension treaty with Crapan.

Originally Posted by kamome

How long will you be away? To be safe, there should be enough evidence that you did not plan to return to Japan at the time you left--such as giving up your gaijin card, expiration of your visa, significant time lapse between leaving and returning, etc.

I've no idea when I'll return, could be within a few months, a year or even longer, I don't know at this moment.

[cstaylor]

You're leaving your wife and kid here for up to a year? You should probably talk with American Oyaji...

[Hana_Mizu]

Originally Posted by cstaylor

You're leaving your wife and kid here for up to a year? You should probably talk with American Oyaji...

Before anyone else thinks I'm a selfish arsehole... my dad has cancer, that's why I'm going back.

[cstaylor]

No, I wasn't saying that, but I read "personal reasons" as "problems at home".

Hope your father pulls through.

[Hana_Mizu]

Originally Posted by cstaylor

No, I wasn't saying that, but I read "personal reasons" as "problems at home".
Hope your father pulls through.

No problem, I'm just a little touchy about the subject at the moment.

Hey, thanks for the advice from those who replied.

[kamome]

Originally Posted by Hana_Mizu

No problem, I'm just a little touchy about the subject at the moment.

Hey, thanks for the advice from those who replied.

That's very sad news, and I hope he feels better. Suddenly, the whole pension payment thing sounds much less serious.

Anyway, while you are away you probably won't be doing any work for which you will be paid in Japan, correct? If that's the case, there will be no way the J-authorities can make a claim on your income for social insurance payments. You don't have a continuing obligation to pay while you're outside of the country, and the fact that you're not earning money in Japan just reinforces that.

My advice: go home, tend to your Dad, forget about the pension system. If this question weighs heavily on your mind, take a couple of hours tomorrow morning to visit the local government office and ask them.