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Survivors' pensions from other payers than Kela

Survivors' pensions, i.e. spouse's pensions and orphan's pensions, can also be paid by other payers than Kela and the authorised pension providers.

The authorised pension providers pay spouse's pensions without any age limit. The pension is based on the employees’ and self-employed persons' pension that the deceased had accrued. Spouse's pensions from Kela and from the earnings-related pension scheme can be paid at the same time.

The authorised pension providers pay orphan's pensions to persons aged under 20 years. The pension is based on the employees’ and self-employed persons' pension that the deceased guardian had accrued.

For more information on the spouse’s pension provided by an authorised pension provider, go to the e-service of the pension provider (elakepalvelut.fi) here. Use your online banking user ID and password to log into the service. In the pension provider’s e-service, you can at the same time also apply for a spouse’s pension from Kela.

Pensions available from workers compensation and motor insurance plans

A widow/widower or a child may also be entitled to survivors’ pension or assistance pension under an accident, motor third party, military accident or patient insurance plan. If such pensions offer adequate economic security, Kela will not pay an additional amount to the survivor’s pension.

Further information about such pensions is provided by the insurance companies and the State Treasury.

Survivor’s pension on the basis of the deceased’s employment

Surviving spouses and children may also be entitled to a lump-sum compensation from a group life assurance policy, if the deceased was employed when he or she died.

Nearly all employees have group life insurance financed by their employer. Farmers have a comparable compensation included in the compulsory MYEL insurance. Persons employed by the State and the municipalities also have equivalent insurance coverage.

For further information, contact the deceased's employer or the Farmers' Social Insurance Institution Mela (mela.fi).

Survivor’s pension from abroad

If the deceased had at some point worked in another EU or EEA country, in Switzerland, or in a country that has a social security agreement with Finland, the surviving spouse and children may also be entitled to a survivors’ pension from these countries.

If you apply for a pension from some other country than an EU or EEA country, Switzerland or a country that has a social security agreement with Finland, you must apply for the pension directly from the pension provider in  the country in question.

See more details on applying for a pension from Finland to another country and applying for a pension from abroad.

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Last modified 22/8/2023