Defence Staff wants conscripts to accrue pension
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Finland’s Defence Staff wants conscripts to accrue retirement pension from the time that they serve in the Defence Forces. The same would apply to conscientious objectors who do civilian service.
"We propose that national service would be counted as the same kind of non-paid period of time during which pension is accrued as in caring for small children at home or during university studies", says Veli Särmäkari, head of social affairs at the Defence Staff.
Pension legislation has been changed in Finland so that individuals will soon begin to accrue pension rights from the age of 18, and that the amount of pension one earns is based on a person’s entire working career. Until now accrual of pension began at age 23, and the decisive years for the amount of pension are the ten last years at work.
The State Treasury calculates that including conscripts and conscientious objectors in the work pension system would cost about EUR 25 million a year.
Under the pension law reform that takes effect next year, Finns will be allowed to retire at age 63 - 68.
Between the ages of 18 and 52, wage-earners will accrue pension equivalent to 1.5% of their earnings. From age 53 - 62, the figure is 1.9%, and after that, 4.5% of annual income.
Under the new law, time spent on maternity leave and unemployed will accrue pension. Students and parents staying at home to care for children will accrue pension as if they were earning EUR 500 a month.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 10.8.2004 - TODAY |
 Defence Staff wants conscripts to accrue pension |
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