Finland - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Finland and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Finland and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Finland or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Finland came into force on February 1, 1988. An additional protocol came into force on January 1, 1997.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Finnish pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Finland, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Finnish old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Finnish survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Finnish benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Finland will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Finland's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider periods credited under the Finnish Employment Pensions Scheme as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension based on your years of residence in Canada, Canada will consider periods credited under the pension program of Finland and periods of residence in Finland after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada's international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
Finnish benefits
The pension program of Finland consists of 2 separate schemes: the National Pensions Scheme and the Employment Pensions Scheme. The National Pensions Scheme is residence-based, and covers all persons residing in Finland. The Employment Pensions Scheme is earnings-related, and covers all employed and self-employed persons in Finland.
To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Finland, you normally must have lived or worked in Finland for a minimum period. You must also meet other conditions specified in Finnish legislation.
The Agreement ensures that eligibility requirements for Finnish benefits are the same for Canadian and Finnish citizens. It enables qualifying Canadian and Finnish citizens who live in Canada to receive Finnish benefits.
Apply
Print and complete one of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Finnish benefit:
- Finland/Canada Agreement - Application for Finnish Employment Old Age benefit (CAN-FIN 2A)
- Finland/Canada Agreement - Application for Finnish National Old Age benefit (CAN-FIN 2B)
- Finland/Canada Agreement - Application for Finnish Employment Disability benefit (CAN-FIN 2A DSB)
- Finland/Canada Agreement - Application for Finnish Employment Survivors benefit (CAN-FIN 2A SVR)
- Finland/Canada Agreement - Application for Finnish National Survivors benefit (CAN-FIN 2C)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
If you live in Finland
If you live in Finland and want to apply for a Canadian benefit:
- Finland/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-FIN)
- Finland/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-FIN)
- Finland/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-FIN)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Finland, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
Finland’s social security
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of Finland
- Protocol Amending the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Finland
- General overview of Finland's social security system
- Information on programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of Finland and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.
Page details
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