National Pension and Nursing Care Insurance

National Pension

National Pension is a mutual support program operated by the national government in which everyone pays into a financial pool of insurance premiums in preparation for life after retirement. If you are a member of National Pension and fulfill designated requirements, you are eligible to receive any of the following pensions.

• Basic Elderly Pension: As a rule, this pension is provided after reaching 65 years of age. The pension can be remitted from Japan even if you live overseas.
• Other Pensions: There is a Basic Disability Pension if you have a disability from an illness or injury, and a Basic Bereaved Family Pension for the wife or child of a member who dies.

Enrollment Procedures

Everyone between 20 and under 60 years of age who lives in Japan must enroll in National Pension regardless of nationality. However, those who are already enrolled in Welfare Annuity or a Mutual Aid Association Pension Plan at their place of employment, and spouses of such members, do not need to complete enrollment procedures. If any of the following applies to you, please complete the designated procedures at the city office counter.

1. If you have never enrolled in a pension plan in the past, and are enrolling for the first time.
2. If you have resigned from your place of employment and are no longer a member of welfare annuity or mutual aid.
3. If you are no longer a dependent of a member of welfare annuity or mutual aid.
4. If you are already a member of National Pension and have recently moved into Nakano City.

• Inquiries: National Pension Desk, Family/Resident Registration Section
• Tel: 3228-5514

Lump-Sum Withdrawal Program

If a foreign resident who has paid National Pension premiums for six months or longer returns to his/her home country, a lump-sum withdrawal benefit is provided if application is filed within two years of leaving Japan.

• Inquiries concerning the Lump-Sum Withdrawal Benefit: Nakano Social Insurance Office
• Tel: 3380-6111

Nursing Care Insurance

Nursing Care Insurance is a program that was established with the goal of having society as a whole support the burden of nursing care for the elderly. This also applies to foreign residents 65 years of age or older, and those 40 years of age or older who are members of medical health insurance, who plan to stay in Japan for one year or longer.

(1) Payment of Nursing Care Insurance Premiums

• Those 65 years of age or older: The premiums are automatically deducted from the pension for those who receive an Elderly Pension, Retirement Pension, Bereaved Family Pension or Disability Person's Pension of 180,000yen or more per year. For others, the premiums are collected on an individual basis.
• Those between 40 and 64 years of age: The premiums are paid together with medical health insurance premiums.

(2) Those Who Can Use the Services

• Those 65 years of age or older: Services can be used according to the level of need
• Those between 40 and 64 years of age: Services can be used if nursing care is necessary because of any of the 16 designated types of illnesses that come with aging.

(3) To Use Nursing Care Services

1. Apply to the Nakano City Office for Nursing Care Authorization.
2. A survey official from the Nakano City Office will visit the home of the applicant and, after deliberation based on the survey and a letter from the family doctor, a decision is made as to whether nursing care is necessary.
3. If authorization is granted, a Nursing Care Service Plan (Care Plan) is made to determine the appropriate services.
4. Services are used and 10% of the cost is personally borne.

• You can receive help from Comprehensive Regional Support Centers or a licensed nursing care specialist to write up the Nursing Care Service Plan.

• Inquiries: Nursing Care Insurance Section
• For (1): Nursing Care Eligibility Assessment and Insurance Premiums Desk, Tel: 3228-6537
• For (2), 1. and 2. of (3): Nursing Care Authorization Desk, Tel: 3228-6513
• For 3. and 4. of (3): Nursing Care Benefits Desk, Tel: 3228-6531