1/8/2016

A Japanese pension
may affect your U.S.
benefit

What you need to
know about Medicare

Claims for benefits

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement
Computation of U.S. benefit under the agreement

When a U.S. benefit becomes payable as a result of counting both U.S. and
Japanese Social Security credits, an initial benefit is determined based on
your U.S. earnings as if your entire career had been completed under the
U.S. system. This initial benefit is then reduced to reflect the fact that
Japanese credits helped to make the benefit payable. The amount of the
reduction will depend on the number of U.S. credits: the more U.S. credits,
the smaller the reduction; and the fewer U.S. credits, the larger the reduction.

[Back to top

If you qualify for Social Security benefits from both the United States and
Japan and you did not need the agreement to qualify for either benefit, the
amount of your U.S. benefit may be reduced. This is a result of a provision in
U.S. law that can affect the way your benefit is figured if you also receive a
pension based on work that was not covered by U.S. Social Security. For
more information, call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, and get the
publication, Windfall Elimination Provision (Publication No. 05-10045). If you
are outside the United States, you may write to us at the address in For more
information section.

[Back to top]

Medicare is the U.S. national health insurance system for people age 65 or
older or who are disabled. Medicare has two parts: hospital insurance (also
called "Part A" Medicare) and medical insurance (called "Part B" Medicare).
You are eligible for free hospital insurance at age 65 if you have worked long
enough under U.S. Social Security to qualify for a retirement benefit. People
born in 1929 or later need 40 credits (about 10 years of covered work) to
qualify for retirement benefits.

Although the agreement between the United States and Japan allows the
Social Security Administration to count your Japanese credits to help you
qualify for U.S. retirement, disability or survivor benefits, the agreement does
not cover Medicare benefits. As a result, we cannot count your credits in
Japan to establish entitlement to free Medicare hospital insurance.

For more information about Medicare, call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-
1213, and ask for the publication, Medicare (Publication No. 05-10043) or visit
Medicare's website at www.medicare.gov.

[Back to top

If you live in the United States and wish to apply for U.S. or Japanese
benefits:

e Visit or write any U.S. Social Security office; or

e Phone our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. any
business day. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our toll-
free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

You can apply for Japanese benefits at any U.S. Social Security office by
completing an application form J/USA 1 to apply for retirement or disability
benefits or application form J/USA 2 to apply for survivors’ benefits.

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm|

14/17,


1/8/2016

Certificate of
coverage

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

e Working in Japan Write to the
appropriate
Japanese address
in "For more
information"
section for further
information.

NOTE: As the table indicates, a U.S. worker employed in Japan can be
covered by U.S. Social Security only if he or she works for a U.S. employer. A
U.S. employer includes a corporation organized under the laws of the United
States or any state, a partnership if at least two-thirds of the partners are

U.S. residents, an individual who is a resident of the U.S. or a trust if all the
trustees are U.S. residents. The term also includes a foreign affiliate of a

U.S. employer if the U.S. employer has entered into an agreement with the
Internal Revenue Service under section 3121(I) of the Internal Revenue Code
to pay Social Security taxes for U.S. citizens and residents employed by the
affiliate.

[Back to top]

A certificate of coverage issued by one country serves as proof of exemption
from Social Security taxes on the same earnings in the other country.

Certificates for employees

To establish an exemption from compulsory coverage and taxes under the
Japanese system, your employer must request a certificate of coverage
(form USA/J 6) from the United States at this address:

Social Security Administration
Office of International Programs
P.O. Box 17741

Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7741
U.S.A.

If preferred, the request may be sent by fax to (410) 966-1861. Please note
this fax number should only be used for requesting certificates of coverage.

No special form is required to request a certificate, but, the request must be in
writing and provide the following information:

Full name of worker;

Date and place of birth;

Citizenship;

Country of worker's permanent residence;

U.S. Social Security number;

Date of hire;

Country of hire;

Name and address of the employer in the U.S. and Japan;

Date of transfer and anticipated date of return, and

A statement, signed by your employer, certifying whether or not you
and all family members who live with you in Japan, are covered by an

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm| 57


United States

Spouse-Full benefit at
full retirement age or
at any age if caring for
the worker's entitled
child under age 16 (or
disabled before age
22). Reduced benefit
as early as age 62 if
not caring for a child.

Divorced Spouse-Full
benefit at full
retirement

age. Reduced benefit
as early as age 62.
Must be unmarried
and have been
married to worker for
at least 10 years.

Children-lf unmarried,
up to age 18 (age 19 if
in an elementary or
secondary school full
time) or any age if

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

age 20 and the date of
the medical
examination.

Class III disability
benefits are payable to
people with a partial
disability that doesn't
prevent them from
working. A lump-sum
disability allowance
may be payable if the
degree of disability is
less than Class III.

Japan

Spouse-

NP-No provision for
spouse of retired or
disabled worker.

EPI-No provision.
However, a
supplement is payable
to a retired or disabled
(Class | or Class II
only) worker who has
at least 20 years of
EPI coverage (not
counting NP coverage
or exempt periods)
and has a dependent
spouse. An additional
supplement is payable
for a dependent
spouse under age 65.

Divorced Spouse-No
provision under either
NP or EPI.

Children-

NP-No provision for
children of retired

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm|

10/17,


1/8/2016

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement
Social Security taxes.

Be sure to provide the following information in your letter:

Full name;

Date and place of birth;

Citizenship;

Country of permanent residence;

U.S. Social Security number and/or Japanese Basic Pension number;
Nature of self-employment activity;

Dates the activity was or will be performed;

Name and address of your trade or business in both countries; and

If you are requesting a certificate from the United States, a statement
certifying whether or not you, and all family members who live with you
in Japan, are or are not covered by a private health insurance plan
while in Japan (see Note above).

eo eee ee ee

Effective date of coverage exemption

The certificate of coverage you receive from one country will show the
effective date of your exemption from paying Social Security taxes in the
other country. Generally, this will be the date you began working in the other
country, but no earlier than the effective date of the agreement.

Certificates of coverage issued by Japan should be retained by the employer
in the United States in case of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS). No copies should be sent to IRS unless specifically requested by IRS.
However, a self-employed person must attach a photocopy of the certificate
to his or her income tax return each year as proof of the U.S. exemption.

NOTE: Japanese certificates of coverage will be issued using Japanese
characters not Roman characters. It will be up to the employer in the United
States or the self-employed person to have the Japanese certificate
translated.

Copies of certificates of coverage issued by the United States will be provided
for both the employee and the employer. It will be their responsibility to
present the certificate to the Japanese authorities when requested to do so.
To avoid any difficulties, your employer (or you, if you are self-employed)
should request a certificate as early as possible, preferably before your work
in the other country begins.

If you or your employer request a certificate of coverage, you should read the
Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act statements below.

Authority to collect information for a certificate of coverage
Privacy Act
The Privacy Act requires us to notify you that we are authorized to

collect this information by section 233 of the Social Security Act. While
it is not mandatory for you to furnish the information to the Social

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm|

TAT


1/8/2016

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

employer-sponsored or other private health insurance plan while in
Japan (see Note below).

In addition, your employer must indicate whether you remain an employee of
the U.S. company while working in Japan or you become an employee of the
U.S. company’s affiliate in Japan. If you become an employee of an affiliate,
your employer must indicate whether the U.S. company has an agreement
with the Internal Revenue Service under section 3121(I) of the Internal
Revenue Code to pay U.S. Social Security taxes for U.S. citizens and
residents employed by the affiliate and, if yes, the effective date of the
agreement.

Your employer can also request a certificate of U.S. coverage for you over the
Internet using a special online request form available at
www.socialsecurity.gov/coc. Only an employer can use the online form to
request a certificate of coverage. A self-employed person must submit a
request by mail or fax.

NOTE: In addition to retirement, disability and survivors benefits, Japanese
Social Security taxes cover several other benefit programs including Japan’s
health insurance program. If the employer or a self-employed person certifies
the worker and all family members who accompany the worker to Japan are
covered by an employer-sponsored or other private health insurance plan
while in Japan, the worker and accompanying family members can be
exempted from paying Japanese Social Security taxes including contributions
to Japan’s health insurance program and cannot receive health care services
or other benefits under the Japanese health insurance system. If the
employer or self-employed person does not certify that the worker and all
family members who accompany the worker to Japan are covered by an
employer sponsored or other private health insurance plan while in Japan, the
worker and accompanying family members must pay Japanese Social
Security taxes including contributions for Japan’s health insurance system.

To establish your exemption from coverage under the U.S. Social Security
system, your employer in Japan must request a certificate of coverage (form
J/USA 6) from the local Japanese social insurance agency that collects your
Social Security taxes in Japan.

The same information required for a certificate of coverage from the United
States is needed to get a certificate from Japan except that:

e You must show your Japanese Basic Pension number rather than your
U.S. Social Security number; and

e Your employer doesn't need to certify whether you and your family are
or are not covered by private health insurance.

Certificates for self-employed people

If you are self-employed and would normally have to pay Social Security
taxes to both the U.S. and Japanese systems, you can establish your
exemption from one of the taxes.

If you will be covered by the United States (see the following table ),
write to the U.S. Social Security Administration at the address in
"Certificates for employees" section; or

« If you will be covered by Japan (see the following table ), write to the
local Japanese social insurance agency that collects your Japanese

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm| 67


Worker-Full benefit at
full retirement age, or
reduced benefit as
early as age 62.
Required work credits
range from one and
one-half to 10 years
(10 years if 62 in 1991
or later).

United States

Worker-Under full
retirement age can get
benefit if unable to do
any substantial gainful
work for at least a
year. One and one-
half to 10 years credit
needed, depending on
age at date of

onset. Some recent
work credits also
needed unless worker
is blind.

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

Worker-

NP-Full retirement age
is 65. Reduced
benefits are payable
as early as age 60.A
minimum of 25 years
of coverage is
required.

EPI-Full benefit at age
60 (age 55 for seamen
and miners). A
minimum of 25 years
of coverage is
required.

Japan

Worker-

NP-Class | disability
benefits are payable if
totally disabled and
require constant care.
Class II disability
benefits are payable if
unable to work due to
disability. The person
must be covered
under NP (or, if aged
60 through 64, be a
resident of Japan) on
the date of the first
medical examination
establishing the
disability and have
coverage credited for
at least two-thirds of
the period between
age 20 and the date of
the medical
examination.

EPI-Class | and Class
Il disability benefits are
payable. The person
must be covered
under EPI on the date
of the first medical
examination
establishing the
disability and have
coverage credited for
at least two-thirds of
the period between

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm|

97


1/8/2016 Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

Social SecurityOnline  _International Programs

International Programs Home <<. Totalization Agreement with Japan

villi SSA Publication No. 05-10165, August 2005, ICN 469150 [OMB Approval Number: 0960-
0554 Expires 10/31/2013]

Contents

Introduction
Coverage and Social Security taxes
Certificate of coverage

Monthly benefits
A Japanese pension may affect your U.S. benefit

What you need to know about Medicare

Claims for benefits

For more information

Introduction . .
An agreement effective October 1, 2005, between the United States and

Japan improves Social Security protection for people who work or have
worked in both countries. It helps many people who, without the agreement,
would not be eligible for monthly retirement, disability or survivors benefits
under the Social Security system of one or both countries. It also helps
people who would otherwise have to pay Social Security taxes to both
countries on the same earnings.

For the United States, the agreement covers Social Security taxes (including
the U.S. Medicare portion) and Social Security retirement, disability and
survivors insurance benefits. It does not cover benefits under the U.S.
Medicare program or the Supplemental Security Income program.

For Japan, the agreement covers Social Security taxes (including the
Japanese health insurance portion, in some cases) and Social Security
retirement, disability and survivors benefits. It doesn’t cover the National
Pension Fund and the Employees’ Pension Fund which are corporate
pension funds under which participation and contributions are voluntary. The
pension system for members of local assemblies, a supplemental pension
system for local government workers, is also not covered by the agreement.
The agreement also doesn’t apply to the Old-Age Welfare Pension or other
Japanese non-contributory, means-tested allowances paid from general
revenues.

This document covers highlights of the agreement and explains how it may
help you while you work and when you apply for benefits.

The agreement may help you, your family and your employer

« While you work—lf your work is covered by both the U.S. and
Japanese Social Security systems, you (and your employer, if you are
employed) would normally have to pay Social Security taxes to both
countries for the same work. However, the agreement eliminates this
double coverage so you pay taxes to only one system (see "Coverage

and Social Security taxes" section).

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm| 417,


Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

widower-Same as
widow or widower if
marriage lasted at
least 10 years.

Children-Same as for
children of retired or
disabled worker.

Lump-Sum Death
Benefit-A one-time
payment not to exceed
$255 payable on the
death of an insured
worker.

United States

No refund of properly
paid contributions.

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm|

death.

Benefits payable to a
dependent widow who
is caring for the
deceased's child
under age 18 (age 20
if disabled). Widow's
benefit includes a
supplement for
children.

If there is no widow
caring for the
deceased's child,
benefits may be paid
to another survivor of
the worker in the order
of priority listed below.

. orphans

. childless widow

. widower

. parents age 55
or older

. grandchildren
under age 18
(age 20 if
disabled)

6. grandparents

age 55 or older

RON

a

Lump-Sum Death
Benefit-

NP-Benefit payable if
the deceased
contributed for at least
three years, was not
entitled to a benefit,
and had dependents
who are not entitled to
survivors benefits.

EPI-No provision.

Japan

Foreign workers can
receive a partial refund
of NP and EPI
contributions if the
worker is not eligible

12/17


disabled before age
22.

United States

Survivor benefits
payable to the
following categories:

Widow or widower-
Full benefit at full
retirement age or at
any age if caring for
the deceased's
entitled child under
age 16 (or disabled
before age

22). Reduced benefit
as early as age 60 (or
age 50 if disabled) if
not caring for child.
Benefits may be
continued if
remarriage occurs
after age 60 (or age 50
if disabled).

Divorced widow or

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

worker. A supplement
is payable to a Class |
or Class II disabled
worker for dependent
children under age 18
(age 20 if disabled).

EPI-A supplement is
payable to a retired or
disabled (Class | or
Class II only) worker
for dependent children
under age 18 (age 20
if disabled).

Japan

Survivor benefits
payable as follows:

NP-The deceased
must be covered or
receiving a pension at
the time of death and
have coverage credit
for at least two-thirds
of the period from age
20 to the date of
death.

Benefits payable to a
dependent widow who
is caring for the
deceased's child
under age 18 (age 20
if disabled). Widow's
benefit includes a
supplement for
children.

A separate benefit
payable to orphans
under age 18 (age 20
if disabled).

EPI-The deceased
must be covered or
receiving a pension at
the time of death and
have coverage credit
for at least two-thirds
of the period from age
20 to the date of

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm|

11/17


1/8/2016 Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

Security Administration (SSA), a certificate of coverage cannot be
issued unless a request has been received. The information is needed
to enable SSA to determine if work should be covered only under the
U.S. Social Security system in accordance with an international
agreement. Without the certificate, work may be subject to taxation
under both the U.S. and the foreign Social Security systems.

Paperwork Reduction Act Notice

This information collection meets the clearance requirements of 44
U.S.C. section 3507, as amended by section 2 of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. You are not required to answer these questions
unless we display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
control number. We estimate that it will take you about 30 minutes to
read the instructions, gather the necessary facts, and write down the
information to request a certificate of coverage.

[Back to top

Monthly benefits The following table shows the various types of Social Security benefits

payable under the U.S. and Japanese Social Security systems and briefly
describes the eligibility requirements that normally apply for each type of
benefit. If you do not meet the normal requirements for these benefits, the
agreement may help you to qualify (see "How benefits can be paid" section).

It is important to know that Japan pays benefits through a two-tiered program.
The first tier, called the National Pension (NP), is a contributory, universal
program that covers all residents of Japan. The second tier is made up of four
supplementary earnings-related programs, the most important of which is
called the Employees' Pension Insurance (EPI). The EPI covers employed
people in commerce and industry, including miners and merchant seamen.
The three other earnings-related programs cover distinct occupational groups.
The term EPI is sometimes used to refer to all four second-tier programs.

This table is only a general guide. You can get more specific information
about U.S. benefits here on our web site or at any U.S. Social Security office
or by calling our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. You can get more
detailed information about Japanese benefits by writing to the Japanese
system to which you pay Japanese Social Security taxes or by visiting the
Japanese Social Security system's website at www.ipss.go.jp/index-e.html.

Under U.S. Social Security, you may earn up to four credits each year
depending on the amount of your covered earnings. The amount needed to
earn a work credit goes up slightly each year. For more information, see How
You Earn Credits (SSA Publication No. 05-10072).

Under the Japanese system, credits are measured in months. To simplify the
information in the table, requirements are shown in years of credits.

Monthly benefits and eligibility requirements

United States Japan

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm| 87


1/8/2016 Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement
employer

For the Japanese government and you are a:

e Japanese national Japan

U.S.

« U.S. national

You are self-employed and you:

e Work only in the US.
US.

e Normally work in US.
the U.S. but
transfer your

business activity to
Japan for five years
or less

e Work only in Japan Japan

¢ Normally work in Japan
Japan but transfer
your business
activity to the U.S.
for five years or
less

If this table doesn't seem to describe your
Situation and you are:

e Working in the U.S. | Write to the U.S.
address in
“Certificates for
employees"
section for further
information.

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm| 47


1/8/2016

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement
If you live in Japan and wish to apply for U.S. or Japanese benefits, contact:

* The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or the Social Security Division, Veterans
Affairs Regional office, American Embassy, 1131 Roxas Boulevard,
0930 Manila, PHILIPPINES, to file for U.S. benefits; or

« Any Japanese Social Security office to file for Japanese benefits.

You can apply with one country and ask to have your application considered
as a claim for benefits from the other country. Information from your
application will then be sent to the other country. Each country will process
the claim under its own laws—counting credits from the other country when
appropriate—and notify you of its decision.

If you have not applied for benefits before, you may need to provide certain
information and documents when you apply. These include the worker's U.S.
Social Security number, the worker's Japanese Basic Pension number, proof
of age for all claimants, evidence of the worker’s U.S. earnings in the past

24 months and information about the worker's coverage under the Japanese
system. You may wish to call the Social Security office before you go there to
see if any other information is needed.

Payment of benefits

Each country pays its own benefit. U.S. payments are made by the

U.S. Department of Treasury each month and cover benefits for the
preceding month. Japanese benefits are paid by direct deposit on the 15th of
even-numbered months in Japan and cover benefits for the preceding month
and the current month. For overseas payments, the benefit is paid by direct
deposit approximately three to seven days after the 15th of the month and
also covers benefits for the preceding month and the current month.

Absence from U.S. territory

Normally, persons who are not U.S. citizens may receive U.S. Social Security
benefits while outside the United States only if they meet certain
requirements. Under the agreement, however, if you are a U.S. or Japanese
citizen, a refugee, a stateless person, or a person who is eligible for
dependents or survivors benefits based on the Social Security record of one
of these people, you may receive benefits as long as you reside in Japan. If
you are not a U.S. or Japanese citizen and live in another country, you may
not be able to receive benefits. The restrictions on U.S. benefits are explained
in Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States(Publication No.
05-10137).

Appeals

If you disagree with the decision made on your claim for benefits under the
agreement, contact any U.S. or Japanese Social Security office. The people
there can tell you what you need to do to appeal the decision.

The Japanese Social Security authorities will review your appeal if it affects
your rights under the Japanese system, while U.S. Social Security authorities

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm|

15/17,


1/8/2016 Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

Private School The Promotion and
Teachers' and Mutual Aid Corporation
Employees’ Mutual Aid for Private Schools of
Japan
1-7-5, Yushima
Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-
8577
Japan

If you do not wish to file a claim for benefits, but would like more
information about the agreement, write to:

Social Security Administration
Office of International Programs
P.O. Box 17741

Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7741
U.S.A.

For additional information visit our website:
www. socialsecurity.gov/international.

[Back to top]

Privacy Policy | Website Policies & Other Important Information | Site Map L Text?
Last reviewed or modified Tuesday Dec 07, 2010 Need Larger Text?

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm| 1717


1/8/2016

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

e Sent you toworkin U.S.
Japan for five years
or less

e Sent you to workin Japan
Japan for more
than five years

e Hired youin Japan Japan

For anon-U.S. employer | Japan

For the U.S. government and you are a:

e U.S. national U.S. (either Social
Security or federal

retirement
program

Japan
e Japanese national

You are working in the U.S.:

For an employer in Japan who:

e Sent you to work in Japan
the U.S. for five
years or less

e Sent you toworkin U.S.
the U.S. for more
than five years

¢ Hired you in the US.
US.
For a non-Japanese US.

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm|

37


1/8/2016

Coverage and Social
Security taxes

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

« When you apply for benefits—You may have some Social Security
credits in both the United States and Japan but not have enough to be
eligible for benefits in one country or the other. The agreement makes it
easier to qualify for benefits by letting you add together your Social
Security credits in both countries. For more details, see the section on

"Monthly benefits" section.
[Back to top]

Before the agreement, employees, employers and self-employed people
could, under certain circumstances, be required to pay Social Security taxes
to both the United States and Japan for the same work.

Under the agreement, if you work as an employee in the United States, you
normally will be covered by the United States, and you and your employer will
pay Social Security taxes only to the United States. If you work as an
employee in Japan, you normally will be covered by Japan, and you and your
employer pay Social Security taxes only to Japan.

On the other hand, if your employer sends you from one country to work for
that employer in the other country for five years or less, you will continue to
be covered by your home country and you will be exempt from coverage in
the other country. For example, if a U.S. company sends an employee to
work for that company in Japan for no more than five years, the employer and
the employee will continue to pay only U.S. Social Security taxes and will not
have to pay in Japan.

Special rules apply to self-employed persons who, without the agreement,
would have to pay Social Security taxes to both countries (see the following
table).

Summary of agreement rules

The following table shows whether your work is covered under the U.S. or
Japanese Social Security system. If you are covered under U.S. Social
Security, you and your employer (if you are an employee) must pay U.S.
Social Security taxes. If you are covered under the Japanese system, you
and your employer (if you are an employee) must pay Japanese Social
Security taxes. "Certificate of coverage" section explains how to get a form
from the country where you are covered that will prove you are exempt in the
other country.

You are working in Japan:

For a U.S. employer who:

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm|

27


1/8/2016 Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

for any Japanese
benefits, has
contributed for six
months or longer
under NP or EPI, left
Japan after
November 8, 1994,
and requests the
refund within

two years after leaving
Japan.

How benefits can be paid

If you have Social Security credits in both the United States and Japan, you
may be eligible for benefits from one or both countries. If you meet all the
basic requirements under one country’s system, you will get a regular benefit
from that country. If you do not meet the basic requirements, the agreement
may help you qualify for a benefit as explained below.

« Benefits from the United States—lIf you do not have enough work
credits under the U.S. system to qualify for regular benefits, you may be
able to qualify for a partial benefit from the United States based on both
U.S. and Japanese credits. However, to be eligible to have your
Japanese credits counted, you must have earned at least six credits
(generally one and one-half years of work) under the U.S. system. If you
already have enough credits under the U.S. system to qualify for a
benefit, the United States cannot count your Japanese credits.

¢ Benefits from Japan—Social Security credits from both countries can
also be counted, when necessary, to meet the eligibility requirements
for Japanese benefits. To be eligible to have your U.S. and Japanese
credits counted, you must have at least one month of coverage credited
under the Japanese system.

How credits get counted

You do not have to do anything to have your credits in one country counted
by the other country. If we need to count your credits under the Japanese
system to help you qualify for a U.S. benefit, we will get a copy of your
Japanese record directly from Japan when you apply for benefits. If Japan
needs to count your U.S. credits to help you qualify for a Japanese benefit,
Japan will get a copy of your U.S. record directly from the Social Security
Administration when you apply for the Japanese benefit.

Although each country may count your credits in the other country, your
credits are not actually transferred from one country to the other. They remain
on your record in the country where you earned them and can also be used to
qualify for benefits there.

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm| 13/17,


1/8/2016

For more information

Description of the U.S.-Japanese Social Security Agreement

will review your appeal if it affects your rights under the U.S. system. Since
each country’s decisions are made independently of the other, a decision by
one country on a particular issue may not always conform with the decision
made by the other country on the same issue.

[Back to top

To file a claim for U.S. or Japanese benefits under the agreement, follow the
instructions in "Claims for benefits" section.

To find out more about U.S. Social Security benefits or for information about a
claim for benefits, contact any U.S. Social Security office or call our toll-free
number at 1-800-772-1213. If you live outside the United States, write to:

Social Security Administration
OlO—Totalization

P.O. Box 17769

Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769
U.S.A.

For more information about Japan’s Social Security program, contact any
branch office of a Japanese social insurance agency or:

Office for International

National Pension Relations
| Planning Div. Admin.
Employee's Pension Depart.

Insurance 1-2-2, Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-
8945

JAPAN

Seamen's Insurance

Federation of National
Public

Service Personnel
Mutual

Aid Associations
Pension Department
1-1-10, Kudanminami
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-
8082

JAPAN

Pension Fund
Association for Local
Government Officials
Pension Division
Pension Operation
Department
Akasaka DS Building
8-5-26, Akasaka
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-
0052

JAPAN

National Public Service
Mutual Aid

Local Public Service
Mutual Aid

https://web.archive.org/web/20120208084844/http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.htm|

16/17,