Hi guys,
I did a search and checked previous threads for an answer, but didn't see one. Sincerest apologies if I missed it, and if so I'd appreciate a link!
So I'm a 6th year ALT (5 years JET, 1 year direct contract with same BOE) who is finally finishing up. I'm going to get married and change to a spousal visa and continue to live and work in Japan for another few years at least. I'm currently thinking about the pension refund and trying to decide if I want to get it or not.
My main question is: As an American, if I apply for the pension refund and get it, what happens to the other 3 years I worked that weren't refunded? Do they get put into the US system or Japanese system as years worked still, or do they disappear since I got the pension? And if I don't get the pension, then can the 6 years be counted in the US? 6 years of work is nothing to sneeze at, but we could really use the money right now. I'm trying to decide if losing the 3 years is really worth it to me.
(Also I know that you can't apply for it if you are still a resident in Japan, before anyone pops up to tell me... my visa expires this July, so depending on what immigration tells me today, I may have to fly home and stay until my spousal visa is processed. If that's the case, I can turn in my card etc, apply for the refund, then come back on the spouse visa with a new name and be able to get the refund. If I don't have to leave, I might anyway just to visit, but that depends.)
If anyone has any info about this, or can direct me to a place where I can find out, I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks~!