If the pension handbook is lost, Category 1 members can apply at the local municipal office for it to be reissued.
If members have trouble paying due to low income or other reasons they should apply for an exemption from contribution payments at their local municipal office.
The pension office will examine their previous year's income and other factors and may give a total or partial exemption from payments.
Periods of non-payment may not be included in calculating the old-age basic pension that the member will receive in the future.
If they are brought fully up to date, the members old age basic pension will be calculated in the same manner as for full contribution payments.
The reason for the lump sum not increasing after 36 months of paying into the pension scheme are unclear, but may relate to the JET Programme, where young foreign graduates come to Japan to teach English in public schools.
[8] Until 2006, JET participants could only work in the program for three years and it appears the lump sum rules were crafted with this in mind.