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| Aggregating your Japanese Pension and Home Country Pension (US ALTs) ALTs from countries having an gagreement of aggregation of pensionh with Japan can choose to have their Japanese contributions added to their home-country pension fund, instead of claiming the pension refund. Currently, only Germany and the USA have such an agreement. However, Japan is currently in preparation to admit France, Belgium and Canada. Negotiations are also taking place with Australia and the Netherlands. For ALTs who have contributed to the pension scheme for more than three years, aggregation may be a better option financially. But of course it means waiting till you retire before you get your hands on the money! US ALTs: contact your local Social Security Agency in the USA if you would like to have your Japanese pension contributions added to your American pension. ALTs from countries which may have aggregation in the future: As there is a two-year limit on claiming the pension refund, you must decide whether to take the chance waiting for an agreement to be confirmed or whether to claim the money back now. Check with your local Social Security Agency for updates. |