Today I opened a letter I got a few weeks back. Forgot to open it back then. Now I noticed that there were several payment slips for the national pension plan in there. All about 16000yen and one already overdue.
Here’s why I didn’t open it in the first place though. I am exempted from the pension plan. When I got here my university did all my paperwork for me. So I handed them my papers, they filled in the paperworks, I signed it and they returned it to the City Hall. (Thats why when I saw the pension plan letter I was like “Eh.. I’ll open it later” and then forgot) I’m super thankful for that as it avoided me a lot of troubles. It’s because of that, that I don’t know much about the buerocracy or the details of the documents all that much.
But my University made it very clear that we are exempted from the pension plan and that I do not have to pay it. They said they filled in the necessary gaps on the document when I came here so I didn’t worry about it.
Now I got the payment slip. What am I supposed to do now?
4 comments
Go to your city hall and explain this. Do not. I repeat do not, ignore it or listen to anyone on this subreddit coming and telling you 100% have to pay this. There are millions of situations and the only one that can help is someone working at the city hall.
Was it all done at one counter or multiple? My address registration, NHI registration, and pension were all done at separate booths is why I am asking.
When I handed my pension stuff I was just asked if I wanted to apply for an exemption. She said I might get payment slips before them, but to not pay them and just wait for the exemption comes through. This MIGHT be what has happened, but if I were you I would go to the city hall office and double check.
You might just have to go remind them you’re exempted. The bureaucracy isn’t perfect. I’m pretty sure you’re exempted as a student.
You need to reapply for the exemption every year. And you’re not really exempt. It’s just a delay of payment.
This is the same with all students both foreign and Japanese.
You still have a a pension number. If you decide to stay in Japan after you finish university. You still need to pay for those years later. I believe the limit is 10 years later.
Best advice is to go to city hall and reapply for the exemption. If they ask you to pay money, tell them you don’t have any. If you missed the application for the student exemption deadline, ask city for 免除 めんじょう.
This is the real exemption application for low income persons.