Job Discussion Forums

[Rooster.]

If you have paid into the Japanese pension system for over 10 years, but then move to America is it possible to apply those ten years to your social security? If so, how?

Thanks!

[mitsui]

Yes it is the totalization agreement signed by reps of both countries.

http://www.ssa.gov/international

[TokyoLiz]

The link didn't open for me.

Here's a link from JETRO - read down for pension agreements.
http://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/laws/section4/page9.html

[rxk22]

Does it work in reverse? I worked for 10 years in the USA. Would be nice to roll it over,. Or just collect it, as it will be in US dollars

[mitsui]

It should work in reverse.

What I do not get is having to work in Japan 25 years to get a Japanese pension.
I guess in my case my credits would go to Social Security.
But I do not know how that would work if I retire in Japan.

I plan on returning to the US to work for the next twenty years.


It should get easier in the future due to My Number.

[Rooster.]

Great, thank you for the information! I'm glad it works this way!

[Inflames]

It is worth it to check the exact amounts in question. Japan is supposed to shorten the period for pensions to 10 years from 25 - this would then make you eligible for a Japanese pension, but would also subject you to the windfall elimination provision.

You might not even be able to as the minimum time in the US is 10 years - the pension agreement, per my understanding, is to basically ensure people who have worked in both countries get a pension from somewhere (my understanding is you get credit for time, not money).

[mitsui]

Please remind me on windfall elimination.

I have paid into the system for 14 years, but want to return to the US.

[Inflames]

Windfall elimination is to prevent you from being able to claim social security and a pension from when you weren't on social security at once. The idea is that social security pays out a minimum monthly benefit, but you could have simply worked paid 11 years into social security, then moved overseas for 30 some years, then claim your minimum social security benefit ($800 or so now), and then be claiming the minimum social security benefit plus a pension from another government (presumably more generous than Japan's - the average pension rates here are a joke compared to the US).

[G Cthulhu]