After one year of working in Japan, many Technical Intern Trainees under Programme No. 1 (1Go) want to know how much Nenkin they may receive when they complete their programme and return to Vietnam.
However, the amount is not the same for everyone. It depends on the type of pension insurance, the period of participation and the salary used to calculate the benefit. Before estimating the amount, trainees should identify which type of Nenkin they have been paying.
1. WHICH TYPE OF NENKIN DO TECHNICAL INTERN TRAINEES UNDER PROGRAMME NO. 1 USUALLY PAY?
There are two main types of pension insurance to distinguish between:
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厚生年金 (Kōsei Nenkin – Employees’ Pension Insurance): Pension insurance for employees. Workers who are covered by this scheme will generally see the contributions deducted from their payslips.
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国民年金 (Kokumin Nenkin – National Pension): The National Pension Scheme, which applies to people who fall within its coverage requirements.
Technical Intern Trainees working for companies and covered by Employees’ Pension Insurance generally participate in Kōsei Nenkin. Check your payslip to identify the pension scheme you are paying into.
2. HOW MUCH CAN YOU RECEIVE AFTER ONE YEAR OF PAYING KŌSEI NENKIN?
For Kōsei Nenkin, the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment (脱退一時金 – Dattai Ichijikin) is calculated using the average standard remuneration and a payment factor determined by the period of pension coverage.
For a qualifying coverage period of 12 months to less than 18 months, the applicable payment factor in the current table is 1.1.
Illustrative example
Suppose a Technical Intern Trainee has an average standard monthly remuneration of ¥200,000 for the calculation and a qualifying pension coverage period of 12 months to less than 18 months.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Assumed average standard monthly remuneration | ¥200,000 |
| Payment factor | 1.1 |
| Nenkin payment before tax | ¥220,000 |
| Tax withheld at source at 20.42% | ¥44,924 |
| Amount received after tax withholding | ¥175,076 |
In this example, the Nenkin payment before tax is approximately ¥220,000. After tax withholding, the amount received is approximately ¥175,076.
This is an illustrative calculation, not a guaranteed payment for every trainee. The actual average standard remuneration, the qualifying coverage period recorded in the pension system and the rules applicable when coverage ends determine the final amount.
Those who meet the relevant requirements may apply for a tax refund through a tax representative in Japan.
3. WHAT IF YOU HAVE BEEN PAYING KOKUMIN NENKIN FOR ONE YEAR?
Kokumin Nenkin is calculated differently from Kōsei Nenkin.
According to the Japan Pension Service payment table for the 2026 Japanese fiscal year, if the final month of pension contributions falls between April 2026 and March 2027, the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment for a qualifying period of 12 months to less than 18 months is ¥107,520.
This amount applies to people covered by Kokumin Nenkin who meet the relevant eligibility requirements. Months for which contributions have not been paid do not automatically count as months of paid coverage.
Do not use the figure of ¥107,520 to calculate the payment for someone covered by Kōsei Nenkin.
4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR TECHNICAL INTERN TRAINEES
Having paid pension contributions for one year does not automatically mean that you qualify for the payment. The main requirements include:
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You must not be a Japanese national.
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You must have ceased participating in Japan’s public pension system.
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You must have at least six months of qualifying pension participation.
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You must not have met the qualifying period for a Japanese old-age pension, generally 10 years.
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You must not fall within certain categories of people who have previously acquired entitlement to specified disability-related pension benefits.
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You must no longer have a residential address in Japan and must submit your claim within the applicable time limit.
As a general rule, the claim must be submitted within two years from the date you no longer have a residential address in Japan, subject to the applicable requirements.
Trainees who are continuing their training in Japan cannot claim Nenkin simply because they have completed Programme No. 1.
5. WHAT SHOULD YOU PREPARE BEFORE CLAIMING NENKIN AFTER RETURNING HOME?
Before leaving Japan, Technical Intern Trainees should keep the following documents and information:
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Payslips showing pension insurance contributions deducted from their wages.
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Pension-related information or documents containing their Basic Pension Number.
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Bank account details in the name of the person applying for the payment.
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Any personal documents required under the Japan Pension Service’s instructions.
After returning to Vietnam, check the eligibility requirements, application form and submission procedures on the official Japan Pension Service website. Do not rely solely on advertisements promising a fixed payment amount.
6. IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE APPLYING
First, check the type of pension insurance and your actual coverage period before estimating how much you may receive.
Second, if you are claiming a payment from Kōsei Nenkin, take account of the tax withheld at source and check whether you qualify to apply for a tax refund.
Third, if you intend to return to Japan for work, carefully consider the consequences before claiming Nenkin. Once you receive the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment, the pension coverage period used to calculate that payment will no longer count towards the qualifying period for a future Japanese old-age pension.
For official guidance on Nenkin eligibility and calculations, visit the Japan Pension Service:
https://www.nenkin.go.jp/service/jukyu/seido/sonota-kyufu/dattai-ichiji/20150406.html
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