National pension

National pension can be paid to a person covered by the Finnish social security system who does not receive any earnings-related pension or whose earnings-related pension is small.

Provisions on national pension are laid down in legislation.

• National Pensions Act 568/2007 (Finlex)Link to an external websiteOpens in a new tab (in Finnish)

The guarantee pension secures a minimum pension for persons on a low income. 

• Guarantee pension 

Who is entitled to a national pension?

Pensions in the national pension scheme are paid in the following way:

• old-age pension to persons born before 1965 when they reach the age of 65 and to persons who were born in 1965 or after that when they reach their personal retirement age in accordance with the acts on earnings-related pension
• early old-age pension to persons born before 1962
• disability pension to persons who have reached the age of 16
• survivors’ pension to the widow and children.

The national pension decreases when the earnings-related pension and other compensations affecting it increase. The amount of the pension is also affected by how long the person has lived in Finland between the ages of 16 and 65.

The amount of the national pension is also affected by the person’s family relationships. The pension is slightly larger for a person living alone than for a person who is married or cohabiting. National pension recipents may also be intitled to a child increment. 

When to apply for an old-age pension

The lowest old-age retirement age under the national pension scheme is 65 years for those born before 1965 and later, the lowest age is the same as the personal retirement aage in accordance with earnings-related pension legislation. It is possible to defer applying for an old-age pension, in which case the pension will increase. 

Persons born before 1962 can receive an early old-age pension. Taking the old-age pension early will permanently reduce its amount for each month of early retirement. 

How to apply for a national pension from Kela

All pensions must be applied for. Applications for a national pension should be submitted to the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela). 

• When you are about to retire (Social insurance institution of Finland)Link to an external websiteOpens in a new tab

How to appeal against a desicion on national pension

Desicions on national pensions can be appealed against to the Social Security Appeal Board. 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health does not process requests for review, objections or appeals. 

A pension decision always includes instructions on how to appeal against it. 

• Appealing income security decisions