Regarding the Social Security deductions

thedarkjedi · Post by **thedarkjedi** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 10:56 am

Hi,

I am a student in finland working part time since last December. Today during my bookkeeping I saw that my employer have been deducting money under Unemployment pension contribution and unemployment insurance premium at 5 and 6% of my wages regularly. But I don' have a KELA card or any other social security stuff with me. If I am paying premium I should be entitled to the benefits shouldn't I? if yes, then come the time how do I use these benefits or claim?

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Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 4:13 pm

If you don't have a henkilötunnus then I don't see how your employer can be making deductions. It sounds fishy to me.

These contributions are statutory, your employer has no choice. The deductions are made systemmatically on everyone who works (except people picking berries in the summer and one or two other exceptions).

You get your retirement pension when you retire (in your 60s). You get unemployment money if you are made unemployed under certain conditions. I don't think you can claim any of it back if and when you leave Finland. But if ever you come back to Finland to live or work, there is also a record of your contributions. If you come from within the EU, I think you can transfer pension rights between countries.

Beep_Boop · Post by **Beep_Boop** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 4:23 pm

Rosamunda wrote:If you don't have a henkilötunnus then I don't see how your employer can be making deductions. It sounds fishy to me.

How have you concluded that he doesn't have a henkilötunnus? Having a henkilötunnus and having access to social security services are two completely different things.

thedarkjedi wrote:If I am paying premium I should be entitled to the benefits shouldn't I? if yes, then come the time how do I use these benefits or claim?

If your status in Finland is "student" (usually the case if you're on a B-type study resident permit) then you're not entitled to any benefits (other than free education, subsidised housing, and subsidised meals). Once you get a full-time work and you switch your residence from B-type to A-type, then you'll be entitled to benefits.

More info: http://www.kela.fi/web/en/financial-aid ... n-students

betelgeuse · Post by **betelgeuse** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 4:59 pm

thedarkjedi wrote:Hi,

I am a student in finland working part time since last December. Today during my bookkeeping I saw that my employer have been deducting money under Unemployment pension contribution and unemployment insurance premium at 5 and 6% of my wages regularly. But I don' have a KELA card or any other social security stuff with me. If I am paying premium I should be entitled to the benefits shouldn't I? if yes, then come the time how do I use these benefits or claim?

As others said, when you reach a statutory pension age of Finland, you can get a pension from Finland wherever you live in the world (provided Finnish laws have not changed to deny you).

adnan wrote: More info: http://www.kela.fi/web/en/financial-aid ... n-students

This is a better link:

http://www.kela.fi/web/en/moving-to-fin ... in-finland

"If you work in Finland alongside your studies or research work, you can be covered by the Finnish social security system for the duration of the employment. This presupposes that your work meets the minimum requirements."

onkko · Post by **onkko** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 7:27 pm

adnan wrote:
Rosamunda wrote:If you don't have a henkilötunnus then I don't see how your employer can be making deductions. It sounds fishy to me.
How have you concluded that he doesn't have a henkilötunnus? Having a henkilötunnus and having access to social security services are two completely different things.

He didnt say he had one so its good to remind that you have to have one. If he doesnt have one and there is deductions then its fishy.

And about when you get those benefits? Hopefully when you are 65. Thats retirement now.
Then if you have been long enough and part of union then if you are unemployed. Dunno when KELA card is possible.

dsenator1 · Post by **dsenator1** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 9:19 am

adnan wrote:If your status in Finland is "student" (usually the case if you're on a B-type study resident permit) then you're not entitled to any benefits (other than free education, subsidised housing, and subsidised meals). Once you get a full-time work and you switch your residence from B-type to A-type, then you'll be entitled to benefits.

More info: http://www.kela.fi/web/en/financial-aid ... n-students

It's also possible to get general housing allowance from KELA even if you are a foreign student with B-type permit in certain cases as I do know of foreign students on B-permit who have received housing allowance from KELA. Do find out from KELA but first step I would suggest is to try and apply for the KELA coverage first

Beep_Boop · Post by **Beep_Boop** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 9:30 am

dsenator1 wrote:It's also possible to get general housing allowance from KELA even if you are a foreign student with B-type permit in certain cases as I do know of foreign students on B-permit who have received housing allowance from KELA.

The type of the permit isn't the issue; it's the purpose of your stay in Finland. If it's "study", then no Kela for you.
You might get a B-type permit on a 1-year job contract, and then enrol in studies. In that case, you get Kela coverage.

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