Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1989, published 76th ILC session (1989)

Invalidity, Old-Age and Survivors' Benefits Convention, 1967 (No. 128) - Finland (Ratification: 1976)

Part III (Old-age benefit), Article 15, paragraph 3, of the Convention (in conjunction with Article 18). With reference to its earlier comments (concerning the lowering of the age of retirement below 65 years in respect of persons employed in arduous or unhealthy occupations), the Committee has examined the Government's detailed report and noted with satisfaction the introduction of a flexible retirement scheme for workers in the private sector, both salaried and self-employed (including agricultural workers and seafarers). It also notes that the introduction of a similar retirement scheme in the public sector is envisaged for July 1989, and that a bill on that subject has already been submitted to Parliament. The new scheme provides for an early retirement pension to be granted to persons over 55 years of age whose working capacity has been reduced due to ageing and the arduous nature of their work. The rate of such pensions is equivalent to that of a full invalidity pension, and they are granted until the age of 65 whereupon they are replaced by an old-age pension. The new scheme also provides for an early old age (from 58 years) or delayed pension and a part-time old-age pension intended to supplement the income of an elderly person working part time.

The Committee also notes with interest from the information provided in the report that in the public service, although the minimum age for entitlement to an old-age pension is generally 63 years, there are certain categories of arduous or unhealthy occupation in respect of which the minimum age is set at 55, 58 or 60 according to the nature of the occupation.

Furthermore, the Committee notes the comments made by the Finnish Employers' Federation, which considers that the introduction of the new flexible retirement scheme was a matter of necessity, despite the increase in contributions to the contributory pension scheme.