How to apply for an orphan’s pension

Apply the orphan's pension when the child is under 18 years of age

Apply the orphan's pension when the child is 18 years of age or older

The child is under 18 years of age

1. Complete the form Orphan’s pension ETK/Kela 7005e (PDF).

   • Save the blank form to your device. Do not fill in the application directly in the browser, otherwise some of the information may not be saved.
   • Open the form with Adobe Reader and fill it in.
   • Save the completed form to your device. Note that the form must be in PDF format.
   • The child’s guardian may apply for a pension on behalf of their underage child. Pension has to be applied for with a separate application for each child.
   • Children aged 15-17 years can themselves apply for an orphan’s pension in OmaKela if they have access to a strong authentication method, such as online banking credentials or a mobile certificate.
2. Send the application using the OmaKela e-service:

   • Log in to OmaKela (available in Finnish and Swedish). Go to Asioi toisen henkilön puolesta (Act on behalf of another person).
   • Select Tee hakemus (File an application). Select Eläkkeet and then Perhe-eläke – tee hakemus. 
   • Select the application on your device and press Lähetä (Send). 
   • When you send your application online you do not need to sign it. 
   • If you have supporting documents, send them via OmaKela after you have submitted your application. If they are paper documents, you can photograph or scan them.
3. You will receive a decision letter in the mail. You can also view the decision in the OmaKela e-service.

Another option is to send the application by mail. Send the application by mail also when you are applying for a pension on behalf of a child.

• Sign the application and mail it along with the supporting documents to the address Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.

You can apply for an orphan’s pension provided by an authorised pension provider also from the deceased person’s authorised pension provider. The deceased person is a deceased person whose child or surviving spouse are entitled to survivors’ pension.

Go to the e-service of the pension provider here (elakepalvelut.fi). Use your online banking credentials to log in to the service. In the pension provider’s e-service, you can at the same time also apply for an orphan's pension from Kela.

The child is 18 years of age or older

1. Complete the form Orphan’s pension for students aged 18-20 (E 292e) (PDF, in Finnish)

   • Save the blank form to your device. Do not fill in the application directly in the browser, otherwise some of the information may not be saved.
   • Open the form with Adobe Reader and fill it in.
   • Save the completed form to your device. Note that the form must be in PDF format.
   • Note that students under 20 years of age can apply for an orphan's pension from both the authorised pension provider and Kela at the same time with one form: Orphan’s pension ETK/Kela 7005e (PDF).
2. Send the application using the OmaKela e-service:

   • Log in to OmaKela (available in Finnish and Swedish). Select Tee hakemus (File an application).
   • Select Eläkkeet and then Perhe-eläke – tee hakemus.
   • Select the benefit, add the application on your device and press Lähetä (Send). 
   • When you send your application online you do not need to sign it. 
   • If you have supporting documents, send them via OmaKela after you have submitted your application. If they are paper documents, you can photograph or scan them.
3. You will receive a decision letter in the mail. You can also view the decision in the OmaKela e-service.

Another option is to send the application by mail:

• Sign the application and mail it along with the supporting documents to the address Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.

You can apply for an orphan’s pension provided by an authorised pension provider also from the deceased person’s authorised pension provider. The deceased person is a deceased person whose child or surviving spouse are entitled to survivors’ pension.

Go to the e-service of the pension provider here (elakepalvelut.fi). Use your online banking credentials to log in to the service. In the pension provider’s e-service, you can at the same time also apply for an orphan's pension from Kela.

When to apply 

As the application date for the orphan’s pension, state the first day of the month following the month of death of the deceased. The orphan’s pension is available retrospectively for a maximum of 6 months from the application date.

Read more