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:

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:

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

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.

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