Do dependent spouses need to pay pension in Japan?

This is a very common question among foreigners—and understanding how the system works can save you money and avoid problems later.

💡 If your spouse is NOT working (or low income)

If you are a full-time employee enrolled in 厚生年金 (Kōsei Nenkin):

• Your spouse will usually be classified as:Category 3 Insured Person (第3号被保険者)

✅ Benefits

✔ No pension premiums to pay

✔ Still covered under Japan’s pension system

✔ Registration handled through your employer

💰 What if your spouse earns more?

Let’s say your spouse earns:

👉 ¥125,000/month (~¥1.5 million/year)

This is above the ¥1.3 million limit

❌ What happens then?

👉 She will NO longer qualify as Category 3👉 She cannot remain a dependent for pension purposes

She will move to:

👉 Category 1 Insured Person (第1号被保険者)(if part-time / freelancer / not in company pension)

OR

👉 Category 2 Insured Person (第2号被保険者)(if working full-time with 社会保険)

📊 What this means

If Category 1:

• Must pay National Pension herself (~¥16,000/month)

• Applies directly through city office

If Category 2:

• Pension is deducted from salary

• Employer also contributes

• More benefits compared to Category 1

⚠️ The Most Important Line

👉 ¥1.3 million/year is the key threshold

✔ Below this → Category 3 (no payment)❗

Above this → Must switch to Category 1 or 2

📌 Final Tip

Many foreigners assume dependents always don’t pay pension—but income changes everything.

👉 Always check your spouse’s annual income carefully to avoid issues later.

💬 If you’re unsure about your situation, feel free to reach out—we deal with these cases every day.

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