Spouse's Pension

Kela pays surviving spouses under the age of 65 a Spouse's Pension. It begins as a so-called initial pension, which may be followed by a continuing pension. In addition to these, the surviving spouse may be eligible for General Housing Allowance.

Initial pension

The initial pension is awarded from the beginning of the month following the date of death and is paid for 6 months or until the end of the month in which you reach the age of 65. If you remarry before you are 50, the initial pension is discontinued.

The initial pension is a flat-rate, monthly sum.

Continuing pension

After the initial pension, you may be eligible for a continuing pension consisting of a basic amount and a means-tested supplement.Pension is paid until the end of the month in which you reach the age of 65.

If you have a dependent child under 18 of your own or of the deceased, the continuing pension will include at least the basic amount. If you do not have a dependent child under 18, you may be eligible for the means-tested supplement and a housing allowance, but not for the basic amount.

If you remarry before you are 50, Kela will pay you a lump sum equal to three years of the basic and supplemental amounts of the continuing pension. This requires that you have been paid Spouse's Pension for at least a year.

Your income affects the continuing pension. Assets, on the other hand, have no effect on the spouse's continuing pension.

Updated 10/22/12