LEHTIKUVA
- Next Article Multiple newborn deaths linked to home births under investigation in Finland
As of 1 February 2025, Kela has stopped paying national pensions to recipients residing in EU and EEA countries, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This change affects both old-age and disability pensions under the national pension scheme. The decision may also impact the costs of medical care for affected individuals and their family members, as well as the eligibility for certain benefits.
Kela has notified pensioners living abroad about the termination of their payments. Those who previously received only a national pension from Finland will no longer be covered for medical care costs by Finland. Any certificate of entitlement to medical care issued by Finland, such as the S1 or E121 forms, will be revoked, and affected individuals will no longer be able to use a Finnish European Health Insurance Card. If a person’s spouse received a national pension from Finland, this entitlement will also end. However, those receiving an earnings-related pension from Finland will still have their medical care costs covered in their country of residence.
The change may also impact national pension recipients living in Finland who have previously lived or worked in another EU or EEA country, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. Their pension will now be classified as a minimum pension benefit under EU law, and its calculation will change accordingly. The next time the national pension is reviewed, its amount may increase, decrease, or remain the same, depending on the individual case. The recalculation is expected to affect up to 32,000 pension recipients in Finland. Any change in the national pension amount may also impact related benefits such as the housing allowance for pensioners and the guarantee pension.
Survivors’ pensions, including spouses’ and orphans’ pensions, will not be affected by this change and will continue to be paid to recipients living abroad. The decision also does not affect social security agreements between Finland and the United States, Canada, Israel, Chile, and Australia. Pension payments to recipients in these countries will continue as before.
National pension payments remain available during temporary stays outside Finland. Earnings-related pensions from authorised pension providers will also continue to be paid to recipients living abroad without changes.
HT
- Next Article Multiple newborn deaths linked to home births under investigation in Finland
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
