年金

• Reading: ねんきん
• Romaji: nenkin
• Kanji breakdown: 年 (nen) — year; 金 (kin) — money, gold
• Pronunciation: /neŋkin/

Meaning

Pension; annuity. A regular payment made to retired or disabled persons, typically by the state or a private fund.

A compound of 年 (year) and 金 (money). Japan's public pension system consists of the 国民年金 (National Pension, covering all residents) and the 厚生年金 (Employees' Pension Insurance, covering salaried workers). The sustainability of the pension system — given Japan's rapidly ageing population and declining birth rate — is one of the most debated policy issues in contemporary Japan.

Examples

1. 老後の生活を支えるため、年金保険料は毎月欠かさず納めている。 To support my life in old age, I pay my pension insurance premiums every month without fail.
2. 少子高齢化が進む中、年金制度の持続可能性が問われている。 As the declining birth rate and ageing population progress, the sustainability of the pension system is being called into question.
3. 受給年齢が引き上げられたため、年金をもらえる時期が遠のいた。 Because the eligibility age has been raised, the point at which one can receive a pension has moved further away.

Usage Guide

Context: social welfare, finance, retirement, public policy

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 年 (nen) — year, and 金 (kin) — money, gold. The concept of a regular annual payment was formalised in Japanese law with the National Pension Act (国民年金法) of 1959, though earlier government pension schemes existed from the Meiji era.

Cultural Context

Era: Shōwa–Reiwa

Generation: All ages

Social background: General