Survivor Benefits and Life Insurance After a Death in Finland

When someone dies in Finland, several financial safety nets may be available to surviving family members. The system is well-structured but fragmented across different institutions, and most of the documentation is in Finnish. Here's what's available and how to claim it.

Kela (Social Insurance) Notifications

Kela — Finland's Social Insurance Institution — is notified automatically when a death is registered in the Population Information System. You don't need to report the death to Kela separately.

However, Kela does not automatically process claims or benefits. The surviving family must actively apply for any benefits they're entitled to.

What Kela may owe the estate or surviving family:

• Refund of any overpaid benefits (housing allowance, sickness benefits, etc.) — Kela will calculate and either refund or reclaim these automatically
• Unpaid benefits that accrued before the date of death — the estate may be entitled to these

What the family should do:

• Contact Kela to confirm that all benefit payments have been stopped
• Check whether any refunds are due to the estate
• Apply for any survivor-specific benefits (see below)

Employer Group Life Insurance (Työntekijäin Ryhmähenkivakuutus)

If the deceased was employed under a Finnish collective bargaining agreement (työehtosopimus), the surviving spouse and children may be entitled to a payout from the mandatory Employees' Group Life Assurance. This is a significant benefit that many foreign families don't know about.

Key facts:

• Paid for entirely by the employer — the deceased didn't need to opt in or make contributions
• Covers both work and leisure hours — it's not limited to workplace deaths
• Beneficiaries: surviving spouse and children under age 22

2026 payout amounts (spouse):

Child's benefit: €7,760 per eligible child under 22.

Accident supplement: If the death was caused by an accident, an additional 50% is added to both the spouse's and children's benefits.

How to claim: Submit a claim to the Finnish Workers' Compensation Center (TVK). The deadline is generous — within ten years of the end of the year in which the death occurred — but there's no reason to delay.

Pension Benefits

Survivor's Pension

If the deceased was receiving or had earned a Finnish earnings-related pension, the surviving spouse and minor children may qualify for a survivor's pension. The pension provider (Keva for public sector, various providers for private sector) should be contacted directly.

National Pension Survivor Benefits

Kela administers the national pension system. Surviving spouses may qualify for benefits depending on the deceased's pension history and the spouse's own financial situation.

Important for foreign families: These benefits apply only if the deceased had built up pension rights in Finland through employment or long-term residence. Short-term visitors or recently arrived expats typically haven't accumulated sufficient pension history.

Private Life Insurance

If the deceased held private life insurance policies in Finland, the beneficiaries must file claims directly with the insurance company. Common insurers include:

• OP Insurance (OP Vakuutus)
• If Insurance (If Vakuutus)
• LähiTapiola
• Fennia

What you'll need to file a claim:

• Death certificate from DVV
• Policy number or proof of coverage
• Proof of beneficiary status (the perukirja or sukuselvitys may be required)
• Bank account details for payout

Life insurance payouts in Finland are generally processed separately from the estate inventory. They're paid directly to the named beneficiaries rather than into the estate — but they are subject to inheritance tax if they exceed certain thresholds.

What to Do First

1. Notify the employer to stop salary payments and ask about group life insurance coverage
2. Contact Kela to confirm benefit cessation and check for refunds or outstanding payments
3. Identify the pension provider (check pay slips or the employment contract) and inquire about survivor's pension
4. Locate any private life insurance policies and file claims with the relevant insurers

The Someone Died in Finland: English Speaker's Emergency Guide includes a benefits claim tracker, TVK claim instructions, and a systematic checklist for identifying all insurance and benefit sources.

See more Finland guides →