The welfare state and support from society: learning materials
The assignments will familiarise pupils with social support and services related to, for example, mental health, illness and services for older people. The last section focuses on retirement, which is part of a broader assignment about the forms of support provided by the welfare state.
Through these assignments, they can find information on, for example, health services provided to Finnish citizens, mental health problems and the relevant help providers as well as information on pensions.
Description of assignment
The assignment is suitable as a group assignment, and it can also be used in connection with theme days or as part of support pupil or tutor activities.
Then work in groups to create a poster series on common mental health problems. Posters can be made by hand or using digital services (ex: Canva).
Also include information on the poster on where to get help if necessary.
You can find service providers who can help on the webpage under "Who should I contact if I am worried about my own mental health or the mental health of a person close to me?" and by searching for help online.
Finally, check the information with your teacher.
Description of assignment
The assignment is suitable as a classroom assignment, and it can be completed either alone or in pairs.
Time estimate 15 minutes.
First, discuss how your educational institution deals with sick leave.
Who must you or your parents notify if you are ill during school?
How are school assignments organised during an illness?
If necessary, can you get help with these when you return to school?
Make a list of the health services that are the right of every Finnish citizen.
Try to remember which of the services listed above have you used yourself in the past 12 months.
See the map on the page Choosing a health centre for the health station closest to your home address.
Description of assignment
The assignment is suitable as a classroom assignment, and it can be complete either alone or in pairs.
Time estimate 15 minutes.
Your friend tells you she is worried about her grandmother's situation. Her grandmother lives alone, but can no longer go to the store alone without problems, and it is difficult for her to perform everyday chores at home.
At what age can you receive a partial old-age pension at the earliest? a) 55 years b) 61 years c) 65 years
You want to continue working even though you are already on an old-age pension. Will your salary or entrepreneur income affect the amount of pension you receive?
How is an earnings-related pension earned? a) The payment of income tax b) The payment of earnings-related pension contributions c) With one’s own paid work
Who pays national pensions? a) Municipalities b) Kela c) The employment official
When can you be paid a disability pension? a) You have performed very heavy physical work b) You are incapacitated and your condition does not improve during rehabilitation c) You have been unemployed for more than five years
Advanced assignments: Search online for Kela's brochure "Pensions and other pension recipient subsidies" (search words: Kela + pensions + guide) and answer the given questions based on the guide.
What is the most common pension? a) National pension b) Earnings-related pension c) Guarantee pension
Which of the following statements is true? a) Kela pays earnings-related pensions b) The full amount of the national pension is approximately EUR 665 c) A spouse's income will reduce a person’s national pension d) You can receive a national pension even if your other pensions are very large
Using the Tyoelake.fi websiteOpens in a new window., find out the lowest age of retirement for the following persons a) A welder born in 1953 b) A teacher born in 1961 c) A judge born in 1983