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Published N3 est.3 min read

Self-Employed and Freelance Parents in Japan Can Now Skip National Pension Payments While Raising a Baby Under One

If you pay National Pension premiums on your own — not through an employer — and just had a baby, from October 1, 2026 you may be exempt from paying for up to 12 months without losing any future pension amount.

Self-Employed and Freelance Parents in Japan Can Now Skip National Pension Payments While Raising a Baby Under One
  • As of October 1, 2026, people classified as 'National Pension Category 1 insured' (self-employed, farmers, freelancers, students, the unemployed, etc.) who are raising a child under one year old are exempt from National Pension premiums, with no income requirement at all.
  • The exemption lasts up to 12 months, from the month childcare begins until the month before the child's first birthday; for biological mothers, it continues right after the existing nine-month pre/post-birth exemption period.
  • Exempted months still count as paid when calculating the future pension amount — it is not reduced; the system is funded by a 'child and childcare support contribution' collected broadly from every generation and from companies.

The new exemption: who qualifies

From October 1, 2026, a new 'childcare period National Pension exemption system' began. It applies to people who pay National Pension premiums directly, not through a company — such as the self-employed, freelancers, and students.

This 'Category 1' group does NOT include people enrolled in the employees' pension as company employees or civil servants (Category 2), or their dependent spouses (Category 3).

Conditions and how long the exemption lasts

It applies to biological or adoptive parents living at the same address as a child under one year old. There is no income requirement at all — your income level doesn't matter.

The exemption period runs from the month childcare begins until the month before the child's first birthday — a maximum of 12 months.

For the biological mother herself, this childcare exemption continues right after the existing 'pre- and post-birth exemption period,' lasting an additional nine months.

Will your future pension be reduced

Even without paying, the exempted period is treated as if it had been paid, and the future pension amount is calculated accordingly — it is not reduced.

This system is funded by the 'child and childcare support contribution,' collected broadly from every generation and from companies.

Words in this article

国民年金第1号被保険者こくみんねんきんだいいちごうひほけんしゃ
National Pension Category 1 insured person (self-employed, freelance, student, etc.)
育児期間免除制度いくじきかんめんじょせいど
childcare period premium exemption system
養育よういく
raising/caring for (a child)
所得要件しょとくようけん
income requirement
産前産後さんぜんさんご
before and after childbirth
年金額ねんきんがく
pension amount
子育て支援金こそだてしえんきん
child-rearing support contribution

Notes

This article was checked on October 3, 2026.

To check whether you qualify, ask at your local city/ward/town counter or your nearest Pension Office.

Source: 厚生労働省 (1 Oct 2026)