Applying for daily allowance – what’s different going forward?
This year, unemployment security has seen several amendments which affect both the amount and the calculation method of unemployment security. Although the process for applying for unemployment security mostly remains the same, some changes are on the way. How is the monetary valuation reflected in filling out application forms? In force since the beginning […]
Staggering of earnings-related allowance enters into force in September 2024
On June 19, 2024, the Parliament of Finland approved the government proposal on staggering the level of earnings-related allowance. In practice, this means that earnings-related allowance payouts decrease as unemployment continues. Also, some age-related exemption rules are abolished and the right to earnings-related allowance is no longer accrued from pay subsidy work. What does […]
Our phone service will be open from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM between August 19th and September 30th
A-kassa’s phone service will be available in the mornings from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM during the period from August 19th to September 30th. A-kassa aims to process and pay benefits to all its members as efficiently and timely as possible. We are temporarily limiting the opening hours of our phone service to focus our […]
Number of earnings-related allowance recipients on the increase
At A-kassa, the number of earnings-related allowance recipients has typically decreased in the summer months and increased again in the autumn. This year, however, the numbers appear to have taken an upward turn already in August. By mid-August, a total of 5.4% of all members received earnings-related allowance, an increase of 0.2 percentage points from […]
The merger of Paper Workers’ Unemployment Fund into A-kassa has been confirmed
The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority has approved and confirmed the merger of the Paper Workers’ Unemployment Fund into Open Unemployment Fund A-kassa at the start of next year. The merger will take effect on 1 January 2025. The Paper Workers’ Unemployment Fund and A-kassa approved the agreement on the merger of the Paper Workers’ […]
Important things to consider as your summer job ends
If you have joined an unemployment fund during your summer employment, please consider remaining a fund member even when your employment ends. The right to earnings-related allowance may also be accrued with short-term employment relationships. You do not have to work continuously, but you do have to be a fund member in order to be […]
Number of recipients of earnings-related allowance down in July as expected
In July, the number of recipients of earnings-related allowance at A-kassa was down five percent compared to June. 21,445 members received earnings-related allowance in July, representing a total of 8.8 percent of all members. The share of recipients of lay-off period daily allowance of all recipients of earnings-related allowance kept going down. At the end […]
Unemployment security weakens but unemployment fund membership benefits remain
Amendments and cuts to unemployment security raise questions on whether fund membership is worthwhile in the future. As the legislative amendments will decrease the earnings-related allowance paid out during unemployment or a lay-off period, bringing it closer to the basic unemployment allowance by Kela, many are pondering whether their fund membership is still worth it. […]
Right to job alternation leave to end on August 1
A new law abolishing the job alternation leave system enters into force on August 1, 2024. Your job alternation leave must therefore begin no later than July 31 if you still want to make use of this benefit before the new legislation takes effect. Persons with permanent employment and a sufficient employment history may […]
Right to job alternation leave ends – you can apply until 31 July 2024
The Parliament of Finland has approved a legislative amendment abolishing the job alternation leave system. The legislation enters into force on August 1. In other words, it is possible to start a job alternation leave until the last day of July. Job alternation leave is an arrangement where a person with permanent employment and […]
Number of laid-off persons dropped considerably in June
In mid-June, the number of recipients of earnings-related allowance dropped at A-kassa Open Unemployment Fund by more than 20% compared to mid-May, and this discrepancy persisted until the end of the month. In June, a total of 22,561 members, or 9.3%, received earnings-related allowance. The share of lay-off period daily allowance recipients stood at over […]
Get familiar with our terminology
Unemployment security comes with many special terms, each with a very specific meaning. For instance, a ‘calendar month’ and a ‘month’ may seem like the same thing but in unemployment security they have a slightly different meaning. Term definitions help you understand how matters related to income security are processed. Below, we have collected a […]
Legislative amendment approved: unemployment funds allowed to help find employment
On June 18, 2024, the Parliament of Finland approved a legislative amendment allowing unemployment funds to expand their role. With the amendment in force, funds will be able to offer employment services to their members. Such services may include employment services, counselling and help in finding employment as well as various coaching services. The […]
Number of recipients of earnings-related allowance down as expected
By mid-June, the number or recipients of earnings-related allowance had gone down by more than 20% from mid-May. Out of the remaining recipients, 30% received lay-off period daily allowance. The share of laid-off persons was 19% in mid-May. By the end of the month, however, the number had risen to 40%. Typically, the number of […]
Paper Workers’ Unemployment Fund will merge to Open Unemployment Fund
Paper Workers’ Unemployment Fund will merge with the Open Unemployment Fund A-kassa at the beginning of next year. The decision to merge was approved at the meeting of the Open Unemployment Fund, 30 May 2024. An extraordinary meeting of the Paper Workers’ Unemployment Fund representatives made a positive decision earlier on 16 May 2024. […]
Things to consider regarding taxation of earnings-related allowance
It may come as a surprise to many recipients of earnings-related allowance that it might be taxed at a higher rate than regular salary. It should be noted that the tax withholding rate for earnings-related allowance and other unemployment fund benefits is set at the minimum of 25% unless a separate tax card is provided […]
Employment situation looking better – share of laid off persons down 50%
Open Unemployment Fund’s mid-May application figures indicate a downturn in the number of applications for earnings-related allowance. The numbers decreased 16% from mid-April. The share of laid-off persons likewise looks to be in decline, with their share standing at 19% of all recipients by mid-May. This is in contrast with the early part of the […]
Earnings-related allowance costs up more than 30%
In April, 13.4% of all Open Unemployment Fund members received earnings-related allowance from the fund, while the number of recipients remained at the March level. Compared to last year, however, the number of recipients has increased significantly, 30.5% from last April. This April, earnings-related allowance costs reached 48.1 million euros, an increase of 32.1% from […]
Sami Aapro starts his tenure as head of Open Unemployment Fund
Sami Aapro, LL.M., officially assumed his position as A-kassa’s Head of Unemployment Fund on May 2, 2024. Aapro brings along his vast experience in the field of unemployment funds, and his professional expertise lays a strong foundation for A-kassa’s future development. Aapro has enjoyed success at similar posts before coming over to A-kassa, with […]
Number of laid-off persons remained high
In March, 13% of all Open Unemployment Fund members received earnings-related allowance from the fund. Compared to March of last year, the number of recipients increased by 23.1%. Out of all daily earnings-related allowance recipients, the share of lay-off period daily allowance recipients remained high in March. The bump in the waiting period is reflected […]