The pension provision for artists consists of the national pension, guarantee pension, earnings-related pension and national artist pension.
Pension insurance is compulsory and gainful employment must be insured in order to accrue a pension. The applicable earnings-related pensions act depends, among other things, on whether the artist works in an employment relationship, as a self-employed person or as a grant recipient.
There are two main types of pension insurance; pension insurance provided by employers to their employees and pension insurance paid by the self-employed entrepreneurs themselves. In addition, pension can be accrued from grants for artistic or scientific work.
For an artist, this means that their pension can be accrued from different types of work and sources, all of which eventually add up to one’s pension. If the earnings-related pension is small or non-existent, Kela can provide a national pension and a guarantee pension.
In addition to compulsory statutory pension provision, it is also possible to take out voluntary pension insurance.
Earnings-related pension
An artist will accumulate earnings-related pensions for work done in an employment relationship, any self-employment pension paid by the artist and, as of 2009, in principle, any working grant lasting for more than four months. The grant receiver’s pensions insurance is applied for from the Farmers’ Social Insurance Institution Mela.
The artist may be covered by the Employees Pensions Act (TyEL, työntekijän eläkelaki), the Self-Employed Persons' Pensions Act (YEL, yrittäjän eläkelaki) and, in the case of grants, the Farmers' Pensions Act (MYEL, Maatalousyrittäjän eläkelaki). The earnings-related pension is therefore accrued from TYEL, MYEL and YEL.
For more information on pension insurance for entrepreneurs and grants, visit our website:
Pension insurance scheme for entrepreneurs (YEL)
MYEL pension insurance for grants
Supplementary artist pension
Artists may apply for the supplementary artist pension separately. The national supplementary artist pension can be granted to artists who are currently living or have permanently lived in Finland as recognition of an outstanding contribution to art. To apply for the supplementary artist pension, contact the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike), which grants the pension. The Arts Promotion Centre Finland processes pension applications once a year.
For more information on the supplementary artist pension, visit the website of the Finnish Artists' Association here and Taike’s website here.
Pensions paid by Kela
Pensions provide income security during old age, disability, or unemployment for older people. Pensions are paid not only by pension providers but also by Kela.
Kela pays a national pension, which can be a disability pension or an old-age pension. Kela can also pay a guarantee pension. You may apply for Kela pensions if your other pensions and benefits do not exceed the income limit for a national pension or guarantee pension, or if you have not accrued any earnings-related pension at all.
There is also a surviving spouse's pension.
National pension
In 2023, the national pension for a person living alone is 787.07 euros per month if they have no earnings-related pension at all. A spouse’s income reduces the amount, so a person living in a marriage or cohabiting relationship receives 702.69 euros per month. For low‑income employees or entrepreneurs moving into retirement, the national pension is reduced gradually depending on the amount of the earnings‑related pension. If a person’s earnings‑related pension exceeds 1,455.88 euros per month (for someone living with a partner in 2026) or 1,624.63 euros per month (for someone living alone in 2026), they will no longer receive a national pension but will receive only their earnings‑related pension.
Guarantee pension
The guarantee pension ensures a minimum pension for people living in Finland. The full amount is 990.90 euros per month in 2026. To qualify, all pension income before taxes can be at most 982.90 euros per month.
People who have no other pensions receive the full guarantee pension. All other pensions from Finland or abroad reduce the guarantee pension. These other pensions are deducted in full from the maximum amount.
Other Benefits for Pension Recipients
People living permanently in Finland may be eligible for housing allowance for pensioners. This benefit is paid by Kela. You can receive it whether you live alone or with a spouse. Your spouse does not need to be a pensioner.
If a pensioner’s income and assets are not enough to cover essential expenses, they may be eligible for basic social assistance from Kela as a last‑resort financial support.
If You Continue Artistic Work While Retired
If you work while receiving an old‑age pension, the income you earn does not affect the amount of your earnings‑related pension. As an old‑age pensioner, your work income also does not affect your national pension or guarantee pension. However, your income may affect other benefits, such as the housing allowance for pensioners.
Tax deductions related to a professional artist’s creative work can still be made from earned income in taxation, even if the artist’s income consists of pension income. This means that if you continue artistic work as a pensioner, the expenses of your artistic activities can be taken into account in the taxation of your pension income.