If self-employment ends

If your self-employment ends for instance because you stop working in your business or you retire, you may be eligible for benefits from Kela. The easiest way to apply for benefits for yourself is to use the OmaKela e-service (available in Finnish and Swedish). Read more about ending self-employment (suomi.fi).

If you become unemployed

1. If your self-employment ends and you become unemployed, register immediately as an unemployed jobseeker with the employment services of your municipality of residence (kotikunta) at Job Market Finland (tyomarkkinatori.fi). The KEHA Centre will check if you have stopped your self-employment and then issue a statement on your right to unemployment benefits to your unemployment fund (työttömyyskassa) or to Kela.
2. If you are a member of an unemployment fund, apply for earnings-related unemployment allowance (ansiopäiväraha) from your fund (tyj.fi). If you do not belong to an unemployment fund, apply for general social security benefit (yleistuki) from Kela. Your unemployment fund or Kela will check whether you meet the work requirement (työssäoloehto) for self-employed persons and what the financial situation of your business is.
3. Fill in an unemployment status report (työttömyysajan ilmoitus) in the OmaKela e-service every 4 weeks. Your general social security benefit will be paid on the basis of your report. Read the instructions.
4. In addition to general social security benefit, you may qualify for general housing allowance (yleinen asumistuki) and social assistance (toimeentulotuki). However, you must first apply for general social security benefit.

When you retire

Read more about earnings-related pensions for self-employed persons and pensions provided by Kela that can supplement your earnings-related pension.