Opting out of the Japanese Pension Plan

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

Does anyone know if it is possible to opt out the Japanese pension plan? How does one go about this?

[ramchop]

Die.

[Taro Toporific]

Does anyone know if it is possible to opt out the Japanese pension plan? How does one go about this?

Damn, it I know exact the way "to opt out" other than to get paid from an overseas office in a low-tax juristriction. In the securities industry in Tokyo, this means getting paid through the Hong Kong office.

However, most short-time FG just get the refund of all the paid-in J-pension money when they leave Japan.

NOTE: The law has JUST changed for Americans.

Japan-U.S. pact to alleviate duplicate social security payment
Friday, August 1, 2003 at 09:00 JST / Kyodo Press
TOKYO -- Japan and the United States effectively agreed on Thursday to free their companies from the burden of paying social security taxes, such as medical insurance premiums, for employees assigned to offices in each other's territory to both governments, officials said.

The accord will also end the disadvantage of firms paying such taxes as pension contributions without employees ever receiving pension benefits after they return home following the expiration of assignment periods, they said. (Kyodo News)
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Refund
About [url=http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:wwOlx8VVtwQJ:[url]www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/LIVINGIN/contents8.htm+Japan+pension++foreigners&hl=en&ie=UTF-8][/url]Lump-sum Withdrawals[/url]Determined based on the length of time that the subscriber paid pension premiums.
For more information: Contact the National Pension Section of your local ward or municipal office.

[GomiGirl]

I am not in a pension plan in Japan..... should I be? I also don't have national health - rather an "expat" health plan which covers my travel insurance as well as health. It is heaps cheaper than national health and in most cases there is not a "gap" between what the insurance pays and what the plan will pay.

[Taro Toporific]

I am not in a pension plan in Japan..... should I be?

Technically, yes...you should be in a J-pension plan.
However, since you're neither a real person (no family register for FG) nor a proper pet (you're not a J-wage slave), there's no mechanism to force or inform you of your pension obligations. K-cool!

...under the National Pension Act. Persons aged between 25 and 60 who are resident in Japan are required to join and contribute to Japan's national pension scheme.

See http://www.sia.go.jp and http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/LIVINGIN/contents8.htm

[GomiGirl]

...under the National Pension Act. Persons aged between 25 and 60 who are resident in Japan are required to join and contribute to Japan's national pension scheme.

Sounds like Singapore!!

Oh well it I get asked, there is always the dumb FG act to play...

[Taro Toporific]

...under the National Pension Act. Persons aged between 25 and 60 who are resident in Japan are required to join and contribute to Japan's national pension scheme.

Oh well it I get asked, there is always the dumb FG act to play...

It's a REAL smart idea for you to stay far far away from the J-Pension System as possible...

LDP oldtimers still living in their sexist bubble
IHT/Asahi: August 8, 2003
``Women who have borne and raised many children deserve lots of thanks from the nation in the form of a generous old-age pension. This is how the welfare system should work.... Women who don't bear children live out their lives just as they please, so it makes no sense to use taxpayers' money to support such women when they get old.''

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National pension system collapsing as corruption spreads
Japan Today, 10 Aug 2003
... Japan's national pension system (equivalent to the Social ... of their annual income into
the government pension ... and employees share the insurance premium payment ...

[kamome]

You can opt out by getting paid offshore. Even if you get notices from the pension office, you can ignore them with a pretty low risk of them coming after you. There actually are enforcement provisions in the health care law that penalize those who aren't enrolled in the system, but there isn't much of mechanism to track down those on an offshore payroll who are not in compliance.

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

I am not in a pension plan in Japan..... should I be? I also don't have national health - rather an "expat" health plan which covers my travel insurance as well as health. It is heaps cheaper than national health and in most cases there is not a "gap" between what the insurance pays and what the plan will pay.

Gomi, what healthcare provider do you use?? I am looking for a plan that will cover major medical costs incurred outside of Japan (e.g., I am looking for a plan that will cover me in the event I get very ill and need to return to the US for treatment). Not wanting to spend my last days in a Japanese hospital I would obviously rather be home if such a problem happens (knock wood). Actually, this is something all FGs should think about. I mean, usually you have an employment agreement that terminates if you are physically unable to do your job. So if you are really sick you get fired. If you don't have a job your visa is revoked and you bounce back to your home country where your Japanese medical insurance is worth, I presume, buppkiss. Thoughts?

[GomiGirl]

MedExPlan

I use this company. You need to be residing outside your home country to qualify.

Covers emergency travel home or to fly somebody in if you are ill. Plus travel insurance including up to 30 days in your "home" country (ie when you are home for the holidays.)

There are bulk billing arrangements at many of the "foreigners" clinics.

Now I haven't made a claim yet so I don't know what they are like other than I sleep better knowing that I am covered.

The guy is Alex Routh and is a good guy.

I think there are a few companies that do this but I don't know the names or how they compare.

[kamome]

I use BUPA, a UK-based expat health insurance plan. GG is right that you can only qualify if you reside outside your home country. But it is a hell of a lot better to be on an expat health plan. I would be on one even if I had J-insurance so that I could go back to the US for major treatment, or if I needed to be medevac'ed out of some 3rd country I was vacationing in.

[Alcazar]

How expensive are medicines in Japan compared to the West? Does the Japanese government subsidise medicines so they are cheaper for the customer at purchase?

I heard someone here say that it also costs very little to see a doctor in Japan.


Alcazar

[Captain Japan]

You can opt out by getting paid offshore. Even if you get notices from the pension office, you can ignore them with a pretty low risk of them coming after you. There actually are enforcement provisions in the health care law that penalize those who aren't enrolled in the system, but there isn't much of mechanism to track down those on an offshore payroll who are not in compliance.

If you do this, how do you prove that you are making the minimum monthly salary (250k?) for a visa?

[kamome]

You can opt out by getting paid offshore. Even if you get notices from the pension office, you can ignore them with a pretty low risk of them coming after you. There actually are enforcement provisions in the health care law that penalize those who aren't enrolled in the system, but there isn't much of mechanism to track down those on an offshore payroll who are not in compliance.

If you do this, how do you prove that you are making the minimum monthly salary (250k?) for a visa?

Not sure what you mean--what's the link between the visa and national health insurance?

[Captain Japan]

You can opt out by getting paid offshore. Even if you get notices from the pension office, you can ignore them with a pretty low risk of them coming after you. There actually are enforcement provisions in the health care law that penalize those who aren't enrolled in the system, but there isn't much of mechanism to track down those on an offshore payroll who are not in compliance.

If you do this, how do you prove that you are making the minimum monthly salary (250k?) for a visa?

Not sure what you mean--what's the link between the visa and national health insurance?

I mean, if you are getting paid offshore how do you prove you are making enough of a monthly salary to qualify for a visa? In other words your Japan income won't register anywhere in Japan. Or will it?

[kamome]

I mean, if you are getting paid offshore how do you prove you are making enough of a monthly salary to qualify for a visa? In other words your Japan income won't register anywhere in Japan. Or will it?

Ideally, even if you're paid offshore, you should be filing a tax return in Japan because your income is attributable to services performed here. That would prove your income level. However, I assume that an employer's sponsorship is enough proof to obtain a visa (although I wasn't aware that there was a minimum salary requirement).

[canman]

They are a New Zealand Company and pretty good. I pay about 17000 a month and get health, life(small amount), travel, and a few other things. Last year, my Dad had a heart attack, with this insurance they flew me home all expenses paid. I was then hospital;ized in January, the bill was over 430 000, they covered everything, all I paid was 3000 yen.
But I will tell you that you guys down south in Tokyo and the like have it a lot easier than up here in the sticks. A lot of times when I go to the hospital they ask if I have my Hokensho, or insurance card. I say no and you can see the way they look at you. I hve been asked a couple of times how do I expect to pay for the services. So my wife nagged me into joining the national system, but I am keeping the other as they also have an airlift clause for major medical treatment.