Job Discussion Forums

ginneyl · Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Hong Kong

i've found a lot of information on ex-JET teachers being able to claim their pension back. (http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/former/pension/overview.html)

is it possible for foreign teachers that didn't work with JET to claim their pension back? i worked with nova and i'm sure they're not as helpful as the JET programme.

Gypsy Rose Kim · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 151

I can't remember, but I don't think I got anything back. Maybe I did.

I do think Nova was quite "helpful" (especially compared to a lot of smaller schools) about providing information and assisting teachers in stuff like banking, pay, taxes, and insurance (even for those who of us didn't go through JMA). I'm sure you could just call up foreign personnel and ask them. Yes, the people who work there can be dorky and uptight, but they generally try to give teachers as much information on life in Japan as they can.

Just call gaijii and see what they have to say on it.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

It may depend on where you are from. I was told by my university that I cannot claim my pension money back when leave because I am Canadian. They said Americans could though. Oh well, it is a small price to pay. Wink

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

craven · Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Posts: 130

Hey Gordon...your university has sold you up the river! Anyone, regardless of nationality, who pays into the national plan but then subsequently leaves Japan can claim a refund (including me, a canuck, and 4 of my canuck buddies who just got their refunds). The limit for refunds is 3 years...as in, if you've been paying into the system for 5 years, you can only claim up to 3 of them.
There are numerous companies offering to assist people in claiming their refunds (for a fee of course)...not sure how good they are. As far as NOVA teachers go, do you actually pay into the national pension plan? If not, you are out of luck.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Gordon,
Your university is jacking you around, or they don't know about the 2006 change. To be eligible for the lump sum withdrawl, you only have to meet the following conditions:

http://labor-consultant.com/Lump-sum.pdf
1. do not possess Japanese citizenship
2. make 6 or more months of pension payments
3. not live in Japan when you ask for the withdrawl
4. not have been qualified for such a benefit earlier

Go here (change the language to English at the bottom if needed) for confirmation.
http://www.taxback.com/japan_TaxRefund.asp#Answer_5
Notice that they offer to help you, too. (Yes, even Canadians!)

Go here and see what the Japanese site says, too, as double confirmation.
http://www.sia.go.jp/e/index.html
(Use the bottom link)

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Sorry guys, I meant the mutual aid association tax refund. It says I get it taxed at 20% but I can't get that 20% tax back. Any Cdns out there who can prove me wrong? I'd love to be wrong here.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

I think for the first 3 years only. Americans and Australians can get everything. The agreement with Australia was recently completed.

Since Japanese work in Canada maybe Canada will be next to get an agreement signed.
I spoke to a guy from Nova Scotia about it a couple days ago.

I think it has been done with the UK, France, and Germany too.

Dipso · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 194 Location: England

I was a JET ALT for three years and paid shakai hoken. When I left Japan I claimed back three years' worth of pension payments, which took about three months to be deposited into my British bank account. After that I claimed back the 20% tax - this was a little more difficult as it had to be paid to my representative in Japan, who then wired it to me.

To the OP: did you pay shakai hoken when you were at Nova? The eikaiwa have generally tried to avoid having their employees enrolled, although things have changed recently.