[Awareness Survey on the April 2026 'In-Work Old-Age Pension System Reform'] Over 40% of Respondents Aim to 'Actively Exceed a Monthly Income of 650,000 Yen' Following the Reform

Ageless, Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takao Koide; hereinafter "Ageless"), a company providing human resource services for middle-aged and senior professionals, conducted a survey on work attitudes among 347 of its service users in anticipation of the revision to the in-work old-age pension system (hereinafter "the System Reform") scheduled for April 2026. The System Reform will raise the threshold at which pension benefits are reduced (the sum of wages and old-age employees' pension) from 510,000 yen to 650,000 yen per month starting in April 2026. This is expected to alleviate concerns among highly skilled seniors regarding the so-called "working loss" (where increased earnings lead to a net decrease in total income due to pension cuts) and contribute to resolving labor shortages. The survey results indicate that after the reform, over 40% of respondents plan to "actively aim for a level exceeding a monthly income of 650,000 yen," followed by over 30% who intend to "work within a range that does not exceed 650,000 yen (prioritizing receiving the full pension)." This suggests a trend toward choosing diverse work styles tailored to individual lifestyles following the system change. 1. Awareness of the "increase in the pension suspension adjustment threshold to 650,000 yen" is about 60% among those in their 60s and older, but remains at about 30% for those 50 and younger. 2. [Work style after the reform] "Not sure yet" is the most common response (over 40%); however, among those 50 and younger, "want to shift to higher unit prices and higher work volume" is the most common (about 40%). 3. The primary reasons for wanting to "shift to higher unit prices and higher work volume" are "maximizing take-home pay (about 80%)" and "wanting to utilize my own skills (about 60%)." 4. After the reform, over 40% aim to "actively exceed a monthly income of 650,000 yen," while over 30% intend to "work within a range that does not exceed 650,000 yen (prioritizing full pension receipt)." Survey Theme: Survey on work attitudes and realities of senior IT talent regarding the in-work old-age pension system reform Survey Method: Internet survey Survey Period: March 18, 2026 (Wed) – March 24, 2026 (Tue) Survey Target: Ageless service users Valid Responses: 347 Age Breakdown: 60s and older: 101; 50s: 221; 40s and younger: 25 1. Awareness of the "increase in the pension suspension adjustment threshold to 650,000 yen" is about 60% among those in their 60s and older, but remains at about 30% for those 50 and younger. When asked if they were aware that the threshold for pension reductions (the sum of wages and old-age employees' pension) would be raised from 510,000 yen to 650,000 yen per month starting in April 2026, 56.4% of those in their 60s and older (the age group approaching or currently receiving benefits) answered "Yes," while only 25.2% of those 50 and younger were aware. 2. [Work style after the reform] "Not sure yet" is the most common response (over 40%); however, among those 50 and younger, "want to shift to higher unit prices and higher work volume" is the most common (about 40%). When asked how they intend to change their work style after the reform, 23.6% answered they want to "shift to higher unit price and higher work volume projects," and 29.2% said they would "not change anything in particular." The most common response was "not sure yet" at 44.3%. On the other hand, when limited to respondents 50 and younger, the most common answer was "want to shift to higher unit price and higher work volume projects" at 38.6%, indicating that they are proactively considering options such as "increasing work volume" or "switching to higher-paying projects" as a result of the reform. 3. The primary reasons for wanting to "shift to higher unit prices and higher work volume" are "maximizing take-home pay (about 80%)" and "wanting to utilize my own skills (about 60%)." When asked for the main reasons for wanting to shift to higher unit price and higher work volume projects, "want to maximize take-home pay" was the most common at 81.3%. This was followed by "want to utilize my own skills" at 54.2% and "want to contribute to workplaces facing labor shortages" at 20.8%. This shows the desire of senior IT talent to continue demonstrating the expertise they have cultivated while also prioritizing economic factors. 4. After the reform, over 40% aim to "actively exceed a monthly income of 650,000 yen," while over 30% intend to "work within a range that does not exceed 650,000 yen (prioritizing full pension receipt)." When asked about their income goals after the reform, 41.8% (over 40%) answered they would "actively aim for a level exceeding a monthly income of 650,000 yen," while 31.1% answered they would "work within a range that does not exceed 650,000 yen (prioritizing full pension receipt)." This reflects not only the economic desire to avoid pension reductions but also the reality of the senior generation, who are considering their health and the desire to optimize "work-life balance" after a long career. [Comment] From Noriko Sato, Senior Consultant, Recruitment Division, Ageless, Inc. As a career counselor meeting many people, I truly feel that the way middle-aged and older people approach work is changing significantly. To support the strong desire for "maximizing take-home pay" and "demonstrating professional skills" shown in this survey, particularly among those in their 50s, the pension reduction threshold will finally be raised to 650,000 yen in April 2026. This will make it easier for people to fulfill their wishes to "earn more" and "utilize their skills." On the other hand, income is not the only important factor. As about 30% of respondents in this survey hope, there is also a path to working in one's own way within the pension limit while maintaining a balance with health and daily life. The former "60-year retirement age" is now just a milestone. You may feel anxious about changing jobs in your 50s, but that is also a reflection of your expectations for a new step forward. Utilize the skills and experience you have carefully accumulated in a new environment and find the fulfillment of working in your own way. Take care of your mind and body and value your work-life balance. Polish yourself through re-learning and enjoy your daily life. Such a redesign of your career should make the second half of your life even more colorful and rich.