LDP, Ishin spell out expansion of coverage to trim Category 3

2026-07-07

Written into social security reform outline

The Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai agreed on the 7th to move ahead with measures aimed at shrinking the Category 3 insured system under the pension scheme, which mainly covers homemakers supported by salaried husbands. For people with multiple jobs and part-time workers, they will speed up the expansion of coverage under employee pension plans.

The social security reform outline compiled by working-level officials states that 'the expansion of coverage under employee pension plans for part-time workers and others, including measures for multi-workers, will be advanced at an early stage.' The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will survey the actual conditions of Category 3 insured persons and compile a report within fiscal 2026. It will set up a review panel around the summer of 2026 and move forward with organizing the issues and drawing up specific measures.

Focus of Category 3 review

Category 3 insured persons can receive benefits under the national pension system without paying their own premiums, but the amount they receive is small. Employees who meet conditions such as working at least 20 hours a week pay premiums for the Employees' Pension Insurance and receive more generous coverage. However, when people work for multiple companies, their working hours are not combined, and there are cases in which they remain in Category 3.

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