Self-employed person retires
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As a self-employed person you have to arrange pension insurance for yourself by paying pension contributions under the Self-Employed Persons’ Pensions Act (YEL) or the Farmers’ Pensions Act (MYEL) When you reach retirement age you can apply for an earnings-related pension from the pension provider with which you are insured.
If your earnings-related pension is small, you can also get pensions provided by Kela. The easiest way to apply for pensions and other benefits for yourself is to use the OmaKela e-service (available in Finnish and Swedish).
Earnings-related pension for self-employed persons
- The amount of the earnings-related pension is based on the confirmed income under the YEL or MYEL.
- Apply for an earnings-related pension from your pension provider (tyoelake.fi).
The national pension provided by Kela supplements the earnings-related pension
- If your earnings-related pension is small or if you receive no earnings-related pension, you can receive a national pension from Kela. The old-age pension is a type of national pension intended for persons who have reached the age of 65 years. The pension may also be an early old-age pension or a disability pension.
- Read instructions for how to apply for old-age pension and find out more about the amount of the pension.
The guarantee pension secures a minimum pension
- Taking the old-age pension early reduces the amount of the guarantee pension or may prevent it from being paid at all. The amount of the guarantee pension is reduced by any other pension income the recipient may receive from Finland or from abroad. Kela cannot grant a guarantee pension until you have applied for all other pensions.
- Read instructions for how to apply for guarantee pension and find out more about the amount of the pension.
Persons with low incomes can also get housing allowance
- If you receive a pension (for example an earnings-related pension or an old-age pension from Kela) and your income is low, you can apply for housing allowance for pensioners.
- Read instructions for how to apply for housing allowance for pensioners and find out more about the amount of the allowance.
What else is going on in your life?
Are you unable to work because of an illness, or has your work capacity decreased?
If you are self-employed and become ill, you may be entitled to sickness allowance. If your illness is prolonged, you can apply for rehabilitation subsidy or disability pension (in Finnish at elämässä.fi).
Do you know the amount of pension you have accrued?
When money is tight
If you have a very low income despite receiving other benefits from Kela, find out if you are eligible for social assistance.