Hagukumi Corporate Pension Celebrates 5,000 Companies with Initial Setup Fee Half-Price Campaign

Better Place Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Shinji Morimoto; https://bpcom.jp/; hereinafter, "Better Place"), which supports the introduction and design of corporate pension and retirement benefit plans, primarily through the "Fukushi Hagukumi Corporate Pension Fund" (hereinafter, "Hagukumi Corporate Pension"), today announced the launch of a campaign offering a 50% discount on initial setup fees for new corporate clients, starting July 1 (Wed) and running until September 20 (Sun), to commemorate surpassing 5,000 companies adopting the Hagukumi Corporate Pension.

Background

In recent years, the environment surrounding small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Japan has undergone significant changes. While rising prices continue and expectations for wage increases are growing, the burden of social insurance premiums has also increased, creating a structure where employees' actual take-home pay struggles to increase even with salary raises. Furthermore, against the backdrop of worsening labor shortages, the importance of SMEs enhancing their employee benefits to secure talent has become more critical than ever.

Moreover, as public pension systems are reviewed in line with societal changes, retirement asset formation is a pressing issue for employees. However, saving through self-effort is not easy in an environment where take-home pay is difficult to increase.

The "Hagukumi Corporate Pension" can be introduced and established in conjunction with a selective system*1, enabling employees to build assets for their retirement pensions while keeping corporate cost burdens down*2. A 2025 research study*3 confirmed that introducing this system contributes to improved employee engagement and reduced turnover, with peace of mind about retirement being a key factor in talent retention.

Against this backdrop, the number of adopting corporations surpassed 5,000 by the end of November 2025. The number of participants also exceeded 120,000 (as of the end of March 2026), steadily expanding its support as a system that underpins corporate welfare and talent retention.

*1 Selective System: A system where a portion of existing salary is converted into a pre-retirement lump sum, and each employee can choose how to receive this pre-retirement lump sum.

*2 When the effects of system introduction (cost reduction) exceed the various introduction and operating costs (actual burden may arise depending on the company's size and employee participation rate). Depending on the contribution amount selected, other benefits, including future Old-Age Employees' Pension benefits, will be reduced.

*3 From the "Survey on Factors for Joining 'Hagukumi Corporate Pension' and its Management Effects" (October 2025) (Joint research by Better Place Co., Ltd. and Koji Nishikubo, Professor Emeritus at Yamanashi University and Director of the Welfare Strategy Research Institute. 2,744 respondents.)

Campaign Overview

We believe this is the optimal time for executives struggling with severe labor shortages and inflation to consider introducing this system, and we are launching a campaign to commemorate surpassing 5,000 adopting corporations.

【Campaign Name】 5,000 Adopting Corporations Commemorative Initial Setup Fee*1 Half-Price Campaign

【Campaign Period】 July 1, 2026 (Wed) - September 20, 2026 (Sun)

【Target】 Corporations that conclude a business consignment contract*2 for "Hagukumi Corporate Pension" during the campaign period.

【Content】 Initial setup fee offered at half of our standard price.

【Example Special Price】 For 30 or fewer insured employees*3: Normally ¥330,000 → Special Price ¥165,000

【Notes】

・ Cannot be combined with other discount programs (if overlap occurs, the larger discount will be applied). ・ This campaign does not apply to estimates issued before June 30, 2026. (Corporations with existing estimates should contact their sales representative). ・ This campaign is organized by Better Place Co., Ltd. and has no affiliation with the Fukushi Hagukumi Corporate Pension Fund.

*1 Initial setup fees vary depending on the number of employees. Please contact your representative for a detailed estimate.

*2 A business consignment contract is a contract concluded between your company and Better Place Co., Ltd. for system implementation.

*3 Refers to the number of insured employees under the Employees' Pension Insurance who are under 70 years of age. For corporations operating multiple businesses, the applicable rate will be determined by the primary business (the primary business is defined as the business with the largest number of employees).

July to April is a peak season, and our customer service will be extremely busy. To ensure smooth implementation at your desired time, we recommend early consideration and processing.

〈Standard Schedule by Contract Month〉

Contract in July: Earliest November - February

Contract in August: Earliest December - February

Contract in September: Earliest January - February

※ Regardless of the above, implementation can be aligned with your company's executive compensation revision month.

About "Hagukumi Corporate Pension"

Currently, Japan is facing a "decreasing working population" due to population decline and super-aging, resulting in chronic labor shortages. Furthermore, economic reasons are the most common reason for young workers to leave their jobs*1, and "money" is the top concern for the working generation regarding their retirement*2.

Economic disparities arising from the size of the company of employment and the region of residence significantly impact future asset formation and retirement funds. To support SMEs and their employees, we are promoting the introduction of "Hagukumi Corporate Pension," a corporate pension system that benefits both companies and employees.

"Hagukumi Corporate Pension" is a Defined Benefit Corporate Pension (DB) that can be joined by employees (including non-regular employees) and executives, provided they are insured under Employees' Pension Insurance. The employer can build a corporate pension and retirement benefit system while controlling costs*3. Additionally, a 2025 research study statistically demonstrated that introducing this system has a high potential to lead to improved employee engagement and reduced turnover*4. Supporting this research finding, the system is well-received, particularly by SMEs and the welfare industry facing severe labor shortages, as a "financial welfare benefit" to provide peace of mind to employees.

Benefits for employees include not needing complex investment knowledge and having their principal guaranteed*5. While the basic purpose of saving for asset formation in old age is similar to corporate DC (Defined Contribution Corporate Pension) and iDeCo (Individual-type Defined Contribution Pension), which cannot be received until age 60 or later, "Hagukumi Corporate Pension" offers the option to receive funds not only as a pension but also upon retirement, leave of absence, or during childcare/family care leave. This makes it highly popular among employees who anticipate childcare or family care responsibilities in the future.

Currently, approximately 95% of adopting corporations are small to medium-sized corporations with 300 or fewer employees*6, and about one-third of these corporations are in the welfare, medical, and education sectors*7.

*3 When the effects of system introduction (cost reduction) exceed the various introduction and operating costs (actual burden may arise depending on the company's size and employee participation rate). Depending on the contribution amount selected, other benefits, including future Old-Age Employees' Pension benefits, will be reduced.

*5 If a shortfall arises due to investment performance, the employer will cover the deficit.

Service Introduction Site URL: https://bpcom.jp/hagukumikikin/

(Source)

*1 Overview of the 2023 Survey on Employment of Young People, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/dl/4-21c-jyakunenkoyou-r05_gaikyou.pdf

*2 Financial Services Agency, Financial System Council, Market Working Group Report "Asset Formation and Management in an Aging Society," June 2019

https://www.fsa.go.jp/singi/singi_kinyu/tosin/20190603.html

*4 From the "Survey on Factors for Joining 'Hagukumi Corporate Pension' and its Management Effects" (October 2025)

(Joint research by Better Place Co., Ltd. and Koji Nishikubo, Professor Emeritus at Yamanashi University and Director of the Welfare Strategy Research Institute. 2,744 respondents.)

Press Release: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000145.000074850.html

*6 Calculated from the number of insured employees at the time of contract for corporations introduced between April 2018 and September 2025 (excluding withdrawals) recorded in our system.

*7 Calculated from the industry sectors of corporations introduced between April 2018 and September 2025 (excluding withdrawals) recorded in our system.

※ Number of Businesses and Participants: As of the end of March 2026

※ Average Employee Contribution: As of the end of September 2025 ※ Basis for Calculating Average Participation Rate

This is a simple average of the participation rates in the month of introduction for each adopting business.

Period: Most recent 1 year (October 2024 - September 2025) adopting businesses (2,001 corporations, 2,044 business sites)

Participation Rate: Actual number of participants / Number of insured employees under Employees' Pension Insurance (excluding those who cannot join the fund by system rules)

Average Participation Rate by Company Size: For companies with 30 or fewer insured employees at the time of contract: 77.2%; 31-300 employees: 66.6%; 301 or more employees: 50.5%

Better Place Co., Ltd.

We operate under the corporate philosophy of "Creating a society where the child-rearing generation and children can have hope through business," aiming for a society where ordinary people, not just the wealthy, can "work with peace of mind about money" and "work true to themselves."

Many employees of SMEs and essential workers perform vital jobs that support society, yet their income levels are not as high as those working for large corporations. Furthermore, they often do not benefit from corporate pension and retirement benefit systems because their employers do not provide them. This lack of financial security for the future can lead to a decline in Quality of Life (QOL) and a psychological state where individuals cannot comfortably have and raise children.

"Hope disparity" for the future – Better Place is engaged in business activities to solve this issue.

<Main Services>

Provision of Corporate Pension DX System "HaguONE"

Introduction and support for "Fukushi Hagukumi Corporate Pension Fund" corporate pension and retirement benefit systems

Introduction and support for Defined Contribution Corporate Pension plans

<Company Overview>

Company Name: Better Place Co., Ltd.

Location: Sumitomo Ichigaya Building 15F, 1-1 Ichigaya Honmura-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Representative: President & CEO Shinji Morimoto

Established: October 17, 2011

URL: https://bpcom.jp/

【Recruitment Information】

Better Place is looking for colleagues to build a better future with us. If you are even slightly interested, please feel free to contact us. Recruitment information here: https://bpcom.jp/recruit/