New routine during retirement

When you retire, you can easily and securely manage your pension affairs with the services provided by your pension provider and in OmaKela. You can log in to the e-services on the websites of pension providers.

Don’t forget to inform your pension provider if:

• You switch bank accounts
• Your tax rate needs to be adjusted
• You live abroad and are moving within the same country

If you receive both a pension and housing allowance for pensioners from Kela, you must also notify Kela of the following:

• Any changes to your income and assets
• Any changes to your family relations (marriage, cohabitation, divorce)
• Any changes to your housing costs
• If you move abroad

By keeping your information up to date, you can avoid having to repay benefits. You can submit the information via OmaKela, by calling Kela’s customer service or by sending a form by post.

Read more about situations abroad on Suomi.fi page Will living abroad affect the payment of my Finnish pension?.

Try to take care of yourself and your wellbeing during your retirement.

Factors affecting your personal wellbeing include:

• Physical activity
• Social relations
• A varied diet

Exercise improves your mood, and social relations reduce loneliness and provide support. You should also nurture your mental wellbeing by, for example, engaging in activities that you enjoy. In addition, a healthy diet supports the comprehensive wellbeing of your whole body.

You can take part in the varied activities of pensioner associations and their local branches throughout Finland, for example. Such activities are offered by the following, for example:

• Finnish Pensioners´ Federation ryOpens in a new window.
• The Central Association of Finnish PensionersOpens in a new window.
• Eläkeläiset ry (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• National Association of Seniors in FinlandOpens in a new window.
• Kristillinen Eläkeliitto ry (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• The Swedish Pensioners’ Association in FinlandOpens in a new window.

If you are widowed or experience grief for another reason, help is available from many sources. You can contact the healthcare and social welfare services in your own wellbeing services county or associations, for example. There are also various peer support groups to help in coping with grief. Read more about the available options in the guide on the death of a close family member on Suomi.fi.

When you are retired, you may also have more time to enjoy your hobbies, and even try out new ones. You can find hobbies and courses at local adult education centres and workers’ institutes, for example. Furthermore, many municipalities and regional sports clubs and indoor swimming pools offer a wide range of activities. The running/ski tracks and outdoor sports fields in your municipality are also available for you to use free of charge.

When retired, you can also study at an open university or in a vocational school, for example. You will not accrue any new pension from your studies, but neither will the studies affect the amount of your pension or its payment. 

In addition, you can get discounts on many services with your pension card. Read more about discounts on the Pension card entitles you to discounts page.

If you want to contribute to a cause that is important to you, you can enquire about the opportunity do volunteer work. Volunteers are always needed, and contributions are usually received with gratitude.

Examples of organisations that need volunteers:

• Sports clubs
• Pensioners associations, other non-governmental organisations and political parties
• Different types of events
• Your own housing company

Read more about volunteering on the Suomi.fi Volunteer activities page.

The digital operating and service environment is changing rapidly, and once you are no longer involved in working life, keeping up with the changes like before may seem difficult. You may also feel like an outsider in different situations.

Maintaining your digital skills is important so that you will be able to take care of your everyday affairs and follow matters that interest you.

Read more about digital support on Suomi.fi.