How Screwed Am I?
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2018 2:16 am
I've been living off-and-on in Japan for a total of about 12 years, since 1998. I'm from Canada.
1998-2000 was on JET. They deducted everything that needed to be deducted. When I was back in Canada I received a refund on my pension payments.
2000 went straight back to Japan, stayed until 2005, and can't remember what I paid into system. I can't remember if I asked for or received a refund.
2010-2011 was in Japan for a year and paid into the pension. I can't remember if I asked for or received a refund.
2013 it gets tricky. I moved back to Japan and have been here since, however...
2013 I started paying for the pension and paid faithfully every month. A few months ago, in August 2017 I decided to go overseas for an undetermined length of time. I wasn't sure if I would return to Japan, and if so, when. I went to my local city hall, told them I was leaving Japan and wouldn't know if I'd be back, canceled health insurance, pension, etc. Canceled my apartment contract, phone, utilities, etc. Left my job too of course.
I came back to Japan November 2017 (I was overseas for 3 months). I'm now back in Japan, intending to stay here long-term, possibly the rest of my life. Anyway, I registered as a resident, then signed up for health insurance and pension.
My Japanese is alright, but not good enough to really understand the pension system. Someone said that the pension payments I made before (2013-2017) don't count now.
So, I paid into the pension system consistently, monthly for 4 and a half years. What exactly has happened to that money? What has happened to my eligibility for a pension later in life? Am I really back at square one? If so, what can I do about all of the money that I put into the pension system 2013-2017? I assume I can't get a refund as I am living in Japan now, but I don't really know. I just want it put towards my pension for when I retire, if I retire, in Japan.
Anyone with smarts that can shed some light on this situation?
Thank you.
1998-2000 was on JET. They deducted everything that needed to be deducted. When I was back in Canada I received a refund on my pension payments.
2000 went straight back to Japan, stayed until 2005, and can't remember what I paid into system. I can't remember if I asked for or received a refund.
2010-2011 was in Japan for a year and paid into the pension. I can't remember if I asked for or received a refund.
2013 it gets tricky. I moved back to Japan and have been here since, however...
2013 I started paying for the pension and paid faithfully every month. A few months ago, in August 2017 I decided to go overseas for an undetermined length of time. I wasn't sure if I would return to Japan, and if so, when. I went to my local city hall, told them I was leaving Japan and wouldn't know if I'd be back, canceled health insurance, pension, etc. Canceled my apartment contract, phone, utilities, etc. Left my job too of course.
I came back to Japan November 2017 (I was overseas for 3 months). I'm now back in Japan, intending to stay here long-term, possibly the rest of my life. Anyway, I registered as a resident, then signed up for health insurance and pension.
My Japanese is alright, but not good enough to really understand the pension system. Someone said that the pension payments I made before (2013-2017) don't count now.
So, I paid into the pension system consistently, monthly for 4 and a half years. What exactly has happened to that money? What has happened to my eligibility for a pension later in life? Am I really back at square one? If so, what can I do about all of the money that I put into the pension system 2013-2017? I assume I can't get a refund as I am living in Japan now, but I don't really know. I just want it put towards my pension for when I retire, if I retire, in Japan.
Anyone with smarts that can shed some light on this situation?
Thank you.