Public pension amounts revised for fiscal 2026 (Reiwa 8) — Basic Pension up 1.9%, Employees' Pension (earnings-related portion) up 2.0%
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
From the April 2026 payment month (fiscal Reiwa 8), Japan's public pension amounts rise from the previous year by 1.9% for the National Pension (Basic Pension) and 2.0% for the Employees' Pension (earnings-related portion).
Key facts
| When it applies | Fiscal Reiwa 8 (from the April 2026 payment month, reflected from the 15 June payment) |
|---|---|
| Revision rate | National Pension (Basic Pension) +1.9%, Employees' Pension (earnings-related portion) +2.0% |
| Old-age Basic Pension (full amount, one person) | 70,608 yen a month (69,308 yen the previous year, +1,300 yen) |
| Model pension amount (including Basic Pension for a couple) | 237,279 yen a month (232,784 yen the previous year, +4,495 yen) |
| Reference indicators | Rate of change in prices 3.2% / rate of change in nominal take-home wages 2.1% |
| Macroeconomic indexation adjustment | Basic Pension −0.2%, Employees' Pension −0.1% |
| In-Work Old-Age Pension suspension threshold | 510,000 yen → 650,000 yen |
| National Pension contribution (actual amount) | 17,920 yen a month (+410 yen from the previous year) |
| Announcement | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 23 January of Reiwa 8 (2026) |
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On 23 January 2026 (Reiwa 8), Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that public pension amounts for fiscal Reiwa 8 will rise from the previous year by 1.9% for the National Pension (Basic Pension) and 2.0% for the Employees' Pension (earnings-related portion). After the revision, the Old-age Basic Pension at the full amount for one person is 70,608 yen a month (up 1,300 yen from 69,308 yen the previous year), and the model pension amount including the Basic Pension for a couple is 237,279 yen a month (up 4,495 yen from 232,784 yen the previous year). The revision rate was calculated by applying the macroeconomic indexation adjustment (−0.2% for the Basic Pension, −0.1% for the Employees' Pension) to the 2.1% rate of change in nominal take-home wages. The new amounts apply from the April payment month of Reiwa 8 (paid from the 15 June payment).
Background — why this change
Pension amounts are revised each fiscal year in line with the rate of change in prices and in nominal take-home wages. The law provides that where the rate of change in prices exceeds the rate of change in nominal take-home wages, the revision uses the nominal take-home wage rate, on the view that benefits should match the capacity of the working generation that supports the system. For fiscal Reiwa 8 the previous year's rate of change in prices (3.2%) exceeded the rate of change in nominal take-home wages (2.1%), so the revision was based on the nominal take-home wage rate.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
What is the full Old-age Basic Pension for fiscal Reiwa 8?
It is 70,608 yen a month for one person (up 1,300 yen from 69,308 yen the previous year). For people born on or before 1 April of Showa 31 (1956), however, it is 70,408 yen a month.
When do I start receiving the higher amount?
It applies from the April 2026 (Reiwa 8) payment month, and first shows up in the payment made on Monday 15 June.
How was the revision rate decided?
The rate of change in prices (3.2%) exceeded the rate of change in nominal take-home wages (2.1%), so the revision used the nominal take-home wage rate, and the macroeconomic indexation adjustment (−0.2% for the Basic Pension, −0.1% for the Employees' Pension) was applied, giving +1.9% for the Basic Pension and +2.0% for the Employees' Pension (earnings-related portion).
Has the threshold for the In-Work Old-Age Pension changed too?
The suspension threshold for the In-Work Old-Age Pension rises from 510,000 yen in fiscal Reiwa 7 to 650,000 yen in fiscal Reiwa 8.