TN 2 (04-23)

GN 01731.020 Finnish Social Security Benefits and Eligibility Requirements

A. Benefits included in the Agreement

Although Finland pays many different categories of benefits, this section describes only the retirement, disability, and survivors benefits. These are the only Finnish benefits included within the scope of the Agreement.

B. Finnish benefits eligibility requirements

This chart describes the eligibility requirements for Finnish retirement, disability, and survivors benefits.

1. National Pension Benefits

TYPE OF BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Retirement

Worker

  • Age 65, with reduced benefit payable as early as age 63.

  • Full benefit for persons age 65 or over residing in Finland 80% of the period from age 16 to 64. Partial benefits payable for persons residing in Finland for at least 3 years, but less than 80% of the period from age 16 to age 64.

Spouse

Benefit no longer payable as of January 1, 1996.

Child

Supplement for each child under age 16.

Disability

Worker

  • Age 16 - 64.

  • Impairment prevents regular occupation or similar work.

NOTE: The disability requirements for persons over age 60 are less strict.

  • Must reside in Finland for 80% of the period from age 16 to time of benefits award. Partial benefit for persons residing in Finland for at least 3 years, but less than 80%, from age 16 to time of benefits award.

Spouse

Benefit no longer payable as of January 1, 1996.

Child

Supplement for each child under age 16.

NOTE: Benefit is subject to recovery based on other benefit income.

Survivors

The deceased worker must have resided in Finland at the time of death, have been currently or previously insured at the time of death, and have had at least 3 years of Finnish residence after age 16.

Spouse or registered civil partner

Surviving spouse or registered civil partner (same sex only) must have at least 3 years of Finnish residence after age 16. Benefits cease if the surviving spouse or registered civil partner remarries or re-registers before age 50. Benefits then convert to a lump sum equal to 3 years of benefits if the beneficiary received benefits for at least 1 year.

Surviving spouse or registered civil partner must be under age 65 and either:

  • Have a child in common with the deceased worker, or

  • Be under age 50 at the time of the marriage or civil partnership registration and at least age 50 at the deceased worker's death, and the marriage or registered civil partnership must have been for at least 5 years.

Divorced Spouse

No provision.

Orphan

  • Under age 18, or age 18-20 and full time student.

  • Must live in Finland at the date of the deceased's death or move to Finland in the year following death. There are no citizenship or length-of-residence requirements for orphan's benefits.

  • Additional supplement for orphans under age 18, but supplement is subject to recovery based on other source income limits.

Funeral Grant

Benefit no longer payable as of January 1, 1996.

2. Earnings-Related Pension Benefits

TYPE OF BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Retirement

Flexible retirement age, from age 63, rising to age 65 gradually by 2027. From 2030, it is based on life expectancy at age 62. Partial pension at age 61. Employment must cease at retirement, but may continue after entitlement. Payable abroad for up to 1 year, or under an international Agreement. No dependent benefits.

Disability

  • Age 20 - retirement age (age 63, gradually rising to age 65 by 2027. From 2030, it is based on life expectancy at age 62). Pre-age 20 disability benefits subject to rehabilitation assessment.

  • Disability expected to last at least 1 year.

  • Partial benefits with at least 40% loss of work capacity.

  • Full benefits with at least 60% loss of work capacity.

Survivors

(Deceased worker must have been currently or previously insured at the time of death)

Spouse or Registered Civil Partner

Must have been married to (or in a registered civil partnership with) the deceased worker before they reached age 65 and either:

  • They had a child in common; or

  • The surviving spouse or registered civil partner was at least age 50 or receiving disability benefits at the time of the deceased worker's death, was under age 50 at the time of the marriage or civil partnership registration, and marriage must have been for at least 5 years.

 

Divorced Spouse or Registered Civil Partner

Same as surviving spouse or registered civil partner if entitled to alimony payments from the deceased prior to death.

Orphan

Under age 18.

C. Official Information Request

Advise persons that SSA cannot give official information about Finnish benefits. Refer those who want official information to one of the following:

1. National Pension

For more information about the NATIONAL PENSION (residence-based):

KELA

P.O. Box 78

00381 Helsinki

FINLAND

Telephone: +358 20 634 0200

2. Earnings-Related Pension

For more information about the EARNINGS RELATED PENSION (earnings-based):

Finnish Centre for Pensions

Customer Service

FI 00065 ELAKETURVAKESKUS

FINLAND

Telephone: +358 29 411 2110

 


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201731020
GN 01731.020 - Finnish Social Security Benefits and Eligibility Requirements - 04/12/2023
Batch run: 04/19/2023
Rev:04/12/2023