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Published Updated N3 est.3 min read

From October 1, 2026, Part-Time Workers in Japan Can No Longer Dodge Social Insurance Over the 88,000-Yen Wage Line

The 88,000-yen-a-month line that let many part-timers avoid paying into social insurance has just been erased.

From October 1, 2026, Part-Time Workers in Japan Can No Longer Dodge Social Insurance Over the 88,000-Yen Wage Line
  • As of October 1, 2026, Japan removed the 'at least 88,000 yen a month' wage condition from the rule requiring part-time workers (20+ hours a week, not students) at eligible companies to join social and pension insurance.
  • Previously, many people deliberately kept their pay under that line to avoid insurance deductions; now meeting the hours condition alone requires enrollment, regardless of wage.
  • The same day, a new 'premium adjustment system' launched: the company temporarily covers a larger share of premiums for workers with standard pay up to 126,000 yen a month, cutting what the worker pays for up to three years without reducing future pension payouts.

The wage line disappears

As of October 1, 2026, the wage condition of 'at least 88,000 yen a month' — part of the rule requiring part-time workers to join company social insurance, namely health insurance and employees' pension insurance — has been removed.

According to the Japan Pension Service, the remaining conditions are 'working at least 20 scheduled hours a week' and 'not being a student.' Meeting both means you must join, regardless of your wage amount.

Why this wage line mattered

Previously, many people deliberately cut their hours to keep their monthly pay under 88,000 yen, because they wanted to avoid having social insurance premiums reduce their take-home pay.

With the wage condition gone, this kind of 'hour adjustment' to avoid insurance is no longer possible. That said, it only applies at workplaces that already meet the applicable conditions, such as having 51 or more insured employees.

A new system softens the shock

The same October 1 also launched a 'premium adjustment system': for people whose standard monthly remuneration is 126,000 yen or less, the company temporarily shoulders a larger share of the premium, reducing the amount the worker pays.

This reduction lasts up to three years. Even though the premium paid is lower, the pension amount received in the future does not decrease.

Words in this article

短時間労働者たんじかんろうどうしゃ
part-time (short-hours) worker
社会保険しゃかいほけん
social insurance
厚生年金保険こうせいねんきんほけん
employees' pension insurance
手取りてどり
take-home pay
保険料ほけんりょう
insurance premium
標準報酬月額ひょうじゅんほうしゅうげつがく
standard monthly remuneration
事業所じぎょうしょ
business establishment

Notes

This article was checked on October 1, 2026.

To check whether your own workplace is covered, ask your company's HR staff or your local Pension Office.

Source: 日本年金機構 (1 Oct 2026)