Eläketurva

Two complementary statutory pension systems operate in Finland:

• Earnings-related pension is earned in salaried employment and as an entrepreneur.
• State retirement pension secures minimum income for everyone for his/her days of retirement.

People who have lived in Finland for a sufficient period of time are entitled to a retirement pension at the age of 65 at the latest. State retirement pension (kansaneläke) guarantees minimum income for pensioners who have no or insufficient earnings-related pension (ansioeläke). The only requirement for qualifying for the state retirement pension is that you have lived in Finland for a certain period of time. The length of time that you have lived in Finland also affects the amount of pension available to you. Ask Kela whether you are entitled to a retirement pension or Special Assistance for Immigrants (maahanmuuttajan erityistuki).

Salaried employees are covered by the occupational pension system and farmers and entrepreneurs are covered by their own employee pension systems. Both pension systems include old-age pension, disability pension, individual early-retirement pension and unemployment pension. Your profession and type of employment define which pension law is applied.

You must apply for a pension. Three months prior to reaching the retirement age, pension institutions will send the pension applicant an old-age pension application form with some of the information already filled in. People, who do not receive this form, receive a letter from Kela instead, outlining the concept of state retirement pension. State retirement pension application forms are also available for collection from Kela and pension institutions. More information on retirement pension applications is available on the Kela website. 

In case a provider of a family dies, the widow and children are entitled to a family pension.

The Kela Website contains more information relating to retirement pensions in Finland and how to apply for them. The website also has information on pensions for civil servants and entrepreneurs.