Social security in Finland
The Finnish social security system is designed to provide people with sufficient economic security and assistance in all life situations. It consists of a range of services and cash benefits.
Basis of eligibility
Eligibility for social security is based either on residence in Finland or on employment.
Kela and the wellbeing services counties have joint responsibility for the residence-based part of social security. The employment-based part is comprised of the services offered by unemployment funds, pension providers and private insurers.
The wellbeing services counties, unemployment funds, pension providers and private insurers have a joint responsibility together with Kela for managing the Finnish social security system.
What is social security for?
The purpose of the social security system is to offer basic economic security in situations where a person is unable to achieve it by their own means.
Social security helps in situations where the need for assistance is due to
- old age
- disability
- illness
- unemployment
- the birth and care of a child
- loss of a provider
- participation in rehabilitation
- studying.
Employers are reimbursed for costs arising from
- their employees’ sickness absences and family leaves
- the provision of occupational health services.