Japan additional amount is replaced by the national pension at Full orphan: The benefit is the same as for a widow plus age 65.) dependent supplements and is divided equally among all Working pensioner: The pension is reduced by 20% for eligible orphans. continued employment between ages 60 and 64 if the combined Benefits are paid every 2 months. total of the monthly wage and 80% of the pension is under Death grant: A lump sum of between 120,000 yen and 280,000 yen; if the combined total is between 280,000 yen and 320,000 yen, according to the length of the period of paid 480,000 yen, the pension is reduced by 1 yen for every 2 yen contributions between 3 and 35 years. earned; if the combined total exceeds 480,000 yen a month, the Benefit adjustment: Automatic annual adjustment for changes pension is reduced by 100% of wages over 480,000 yen. in the cost of living. Dependent supplement: 228,600 yen a year for a spouse; Employees’ pension insurance (survivor): 75% of the old- 228,600 yen a year for each of the first two children and age pension is payable for the death of an insured worker. The 76,200 yen a year for each subsequent child up to the end of pension is paid to the first eligible survivor in the following the fiscal year in which the child reaches age 18 (age 20 if order of priority: widowed mother, children, childless widow, disabled). widower, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren. Benefit adjustment: Automatic annual adjustment for changes Dependent supplement: 228,600 yen a year for each of the first in the cost of living. two children and 76,200 yen for each additional child up to the Permanent Disability Benefits end of the fiscal year in which the child reaches age 18 (age 20 if disabled). If there are no children, a supplement of National pension program (disability): 993,100 yen a year for 596,000 yen a year is paid for a widow between ages 40 and 65 a Class I disability or 794,500 yen a year for a Class II disability. if she was aged 35 or older when the insured died. Dependent supplement: 228,600 yen a year for each of the first Benefits are paid every 2 months. two children and 76,200 yen a year for each subsequent child Benefit adjustment: Automatic annual adjustment for changes up to the end of the fiscal year in which the child reaches in the cost of living. age 18 (age 20 if disabled). Benefits are paid every 2 months. Administrative Organization Benefit adjustment: Automatic annual adjustment for changes Pension Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in the cost of living. (http://www.mhlw.go.jp) provides general supervision of both Employees’ pension insurance (disability): For a Class I programs. disability, 125% of the old-age pension plus additional benefits Social Insurance Agency (http://www.sia.go.jp) administers for dependents; for Class II, 100% of the old-age pension plus both programs nationally. additional benefits for dependents; and for Class III, 100% of Regional Social Insurance Bureaus and Social Insurance the old-age pension. For younger disabled persons with less Offices (part of the Social Insurance Agency) administer than 300 months of coverage, the contribution period is contributions and benefits for both programs locally. counted as 300 months. The minimum benefit is 596,000 yen a year. Sickness and Maternity The maximum benefit is based on the earnings limit for contribution purposes according to the wage class. Regulatory Framework Dependent supplement: 228,600 yen a year for a spouse. First and current laws: 1922 (employees’ health insurance), Benefits are paid every 2 months. implemented in 1927, with 1997 and 2000 amendments; 1938 Disability grant: A lump sum equal to 200% of the old-age (national health insurance), with 1958 and 1998 amendments; pension. The minimum lump sum is 1,206,400 yen. and 1982 (medical system for the elderly), implemented in 1983. Benefit adjustment: Automatic annual adjustment for changes Type of program: Social insurance system. in the cost of living. Survivor Benefits Coverage National health insurance: All residents not covered under National pension program (survivor): 794,500 yen a year for employment-related health insurance or special schemes are a widow. (No benefit is payable for a widower.) covered under local government programs operated at the Dependent supplement: 228,600 yen a year for each of the first municipality, township, or village level. two children and 76,200 yen a year for each additional child up Special national health insurance societies provide coverage to the end of the fiscal year in which the child reaches age 18 for self-employed persons. (age 20 if disabled).