Press releases

The number of pension claims soared at the end of 2022 as tens of thousands of Finns claimed the partial old-age pension. Exceptionally, the increase in the earnings-related pension index was clearly higher than the increase in the wage coefficient. It encouraged people to claim the pension already in 2022.

The average disposable income of pensioners in 2020 was 27,000 euros. Pensioners’ income level relative to the employed population is 77 per cent. The ratio has remained virtually the same over the last decades. Single, particularly under-55-year-olds, have a smaller-than-average income.

When starting working as a self-employed person, the confirmed income for insurance under the Self-employed Persons’ Pensions Act (YEL) can be estimated using the calculator on Tyoelake.fi. The calculator as part of the instructions on confirmed income is also a useful tool when guiding self-employed people. The calculator is open to all and requires no login. It is available in English, Finnish and Swedish.

The forthcoming reform of the Self-employed Persons’ Pensions Act (YEL) has caused fierce debate among the self-employed, particularly on social media.

The Finnish Centre for Pensions compared pension contribution levels in eight European countries. Pensions cost the least in Sweden and Finland, just over 12 per cent relative to GDP. The highest price tag on pensions is found in Italy and Denmark. Employers pay the main part of pension contributions in all other countries except Denmark.

The long-term pension financing outlook has improved considerably due to favourable investment returns. At the same time, uncertainty about future contribution rates has grown. If the birth rate remains low, an increasing share of rising pension expenditure will have to be covered by returns on pension assets.

This year, Finland ranked fifth in the international Global Pension Index comparison. Finland’s ranking improved by two places from last year when the comparison’s calculation method was changed. Once again, the Finnish pension system was ranked the most transparent and reliable pension system in the world.

The expected effective retirement age has risen more rapidly than expected. Yet the lower-than-projected birth rates and work-related immigration call for new measures to achieve sustainable long-term pension financing.

Around half of the employers assessed that the problem-solving ability as well as knowledge and skills of workers older than 55 are better than of the average worker, a fresh study by the Finnish Centre for Pensions reveals.

A study by the Finnish Centre for Pensions shows that most pensioners perceive their financial situation to have remained favourable between 2017 and 2020. Yet one fifth of the old-age pensioners experience long-term financial difficulties.