What benefits can you get as a self-employed person?
- From unemployed to self-employed
If you are unemployed and starting a business, check if you are entitled to unemployment benefits.
Read more about the unemployment benefits for self-employed persons. - Benefits for self-employed persons
As a self-employed person you can receive the same benefits from Kela as employees.
Learn more about the benefits for self-employed persons. - If self-employment ends
If your self-employment ends, you may be entitled to Kela benefits.
Read more about ending self-employment.
What else is going on in your life?
Are you starting a business?
When you start a business, you must, among other things, take care of the banking and taxation matters, insurance issues, bookkeeping and financial administration of your business (suomi.fi).
Pension insurance affects social security and pension
As a self-employed person you have to arrange pension insurance for yourself. Therefore, get YEL (Self-Employed Persons’ Pensions Act) or MYEL (Farmer’s Pensions Act) insurance coverage (työeläke.fi). Pension insurance affects the amount of most benefits paid by Kela.
Unemployment benefits can be an option
You can prepare for possible unemployment by becoming a member of an unemployment fund (tyj.fi). Kela pays unemployment benefits to self-employed persons who are not members of an unemployment fund.
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Are you planning on becoming self-employed?
Self-employed persons and light entrepreneurs can receive the same benefits from Kela as employees.
Read more