YEL and social security for the self-employed

As a self-employed person, you are responsible for arranging your own pension and social security cover by taking out YEL insurance. YEL is much more than pension. It also affects benefits such as sickness allowance, parental benefits and unemployment security.

YEL income as the basis of social security

Your social security cover is based on the YEL income confirmed for your YEL insurance. Your YEL income affects your pension and social security benefits, including:

daily allowances paid by Kela, such as sickness allowance, parental allowances and unemployment benefit
earnings-related unemployment allowance (for members of the Entrepreneur Fund)
loss of earnings compensation paid under accident insurance
partial old-age pension and old-age pension
disability pension and vocational rehabilitation
survivors’ pension, including benefits for a surviving spouse and children in the event of death

YEL insurance and social benefits

Sickness allowance

If you become ill, you can apply for sickness allowance from Kela. If you have YEL insurance, your waiting period is the day you fall ill.

Parental allowances

YEL insurance also helps secure your livelihood during family leave. Kela’s parental benefits include pregnancy allowance, parental allowance and partial parental allowance.

Unemployment security

Self-employed people may also face unemployment. YEL insurance helps safeguard your livelihood if you become unemployed.

Help with using our services

Take care of your YEL matters online

In our online service, you can, for instance

apply for a change in your YEL income
view your past and future YEL contribution
request an extended term of payment for an invoice

What to do when...

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