Age 65, I went to Hello Work (Part 1) — Sharing how to apply without losing out, such as receiving unemployment benefits and a pension at the same time
Five years have passed since I retired at 60.
I have found myself needing the services of Hello Work once again.
Do you think that once you turn 65, Hello Work no longer concerns you?
Actually, if you don't know the rules, you might lose out on unemployment benefits and other payments.
This time, I will share a realistic account based on my own experience.
■ Applying at 65 — How to receive unemployment benefits and a pension at the same time
First, there is a major premise you need to know.
【The system for the money you receive changes at age 65】
◎ If you leave your job at age 64 or younger
→ Basic unemployment allowance (so-called unemployment insurance, 90–150 days) is paid
→ Old-age employees' pension is suspended while receiving benefits (you can only receive one or the other)
The point to know here is:
If you leave your job at 64 years and 11 months old and apply for unemployment benefits after turning 65, you can receive both the basic unemployment allowance and your old-age pension at the same time.
However, this must be within one year of leaving your job.
◎ If you leave your job at age 65 or older
→ It changes to the "Older Worker Job Seeker Benefit" (a lump-sum payment, maximum of 50 days)
→ You can receive it at the same time as your pension!
I retired at the end of April at 64 years and 11 months old, and applied for unemployment benefits on June 4th.
◼️ Filing an objection even for voluntary resignation
【Applying as a person leaving for specific reasons】
If you quit due to reasons equivalent to company-initiated termination, such as falling ill due to a major change in job duties or finding it extremely difficult to commute, you may be certified as a "person leaving for specific reasons" even if you resigned voluntarily.
With a normal voluntary resignation, there is a benefit restriction (a one-month waiting period), but if you are certified as a person leaving for specific reasons:
✅ No benefit restriction (payments start after only a 7-day waiting period)
✅ Health insurance premiums are reduced
If there is a possibility that you qualify as a person leaving for specific reasons based on the reason for retirement on your separation notice (Rishoku-hyo 2), I recommend that you always check with the Hello Work counter by asking, "Do I qualify as a person leaving for specific reasons?"
I filed an objection, but I was not certified as a person leaving for specific reasons at Hello Work; however, you should check just in case.
You will lose out if you wait for the staff to ask you.
It is important to speak up yourself.
■ Employment Insurance Briefing Session
About a week or more after submitting your separation notice, you will be called to the "Initial Briefing Session for Employment Insurance Recipients."
The location was Hello Work, and it took about 1 to 2 hours.
Items to bring: Reception slip, unemployment certification, writing utensils, etc.
The content was roughly like this.
・The mechanism of unemployment certification and certification days
・How to create a 'record of job-seeking activities' (this is important)
・The story about having to pay back triple if you receive benefits fraudulently (it's quite scary)
・Certification day
・Benefit payment schedule
The 'Employment Insurance Eligibility Certificate' is a very important document.
It is handed out on the first certification day, so make sure you never lose it.
【Impressions from actually going】
There were more young people than I thought.
I thought I might be the only one in my 60s... but that wasn't the case at all.
I felt a little relieved (laughs).
The explanation itself was polite and easy to understand.
However, although it was scheduled for 2 hours, those who had no questions were able to go home after the lecture (about 1 hour and 15 minutes).
■ Certification Day
'Certification day' is the day to confirm your unemployment status.
In principle, it is set every 4 weeks (28 days), and you must go to Hello Work.
【Things required on the certification day】
① Perform 'job-seeking activities at least twice' between the previous certification day and the day before the current certification day
Initially, once is enough
② Submit the 'Unemployment Certification Declaration' at the counter on the certification day
Examples of what is accepted as a record of job-seeking activities:
・Career counseling at Hello Work (this is the easiest)
・Applying to companies
・Participating in seminars hosted by Hello Work
・Registering with and consulting with recruitment agencies
【Flow of the certification day (personal experience)】
Reception → Submit declaration form → Wait until called → Confirmation with the person in charge → End
I shared this based on my experience at age 60.
◼️ Summary
I will summarize the points for utilizing Hello Work around age 65.
【Checklist】
□ Check the reason for leaving your job and declare it if you fall under 'person who left for specific reasons'
□ If you want to receive both unemployment benefits and pension, leave your job at 64 years and 11 months, and apply for unemployment benefits after turning 65
□ Be sure to attend the employment insurance briefing session (if you are absent, benefits will be delayed)
□ Complete 2 job-seeking activities for each certification day
I was surprised at the number of unemployed people when I went to Hello Work.
The staff working at Hello Work are very kind, and there are many things you can use for re-employment, so I recommend utilizing it well.
I have 3 certification days ahead, and I will do 2 job-seeking activities per month.
In the next post, I will share realistic job information for a 65-year-old and the results of my job hunting.
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MarStyle (@marstyle)
Early retirement at 60 → Currently 64. Holds FP and MBA qualifications.
Sharing content with the theme of 'a fun life living freely'.
YouTube / Blog (marstyle555.com )
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