Kansaneläketurvakeskus

Kansaneläketurvakeskus, often abbreviated as Kela, is the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. It is a central government agency responsible for administering a wide range of social security benefits in Finland. Kela operates independently and is overseen by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Its primary mission is to provide financial security and support to residents of Finland, ensuring a basic level of income and access to essential services.

Kela's responsibilities are broad and include managing various types of benefits such as pensions, sickness allowances, unemployment benefits, child allowances, housing benefits, and student financial aid. It also plays a crucial role in administering the public healthcare system by reimbursing costs for medical care and pharmaceuticals. Kela's operations are funded through a combination of state and municipal contributions, as well as social security contributions paid by employers and employees. The agency strives to provide efficient and equitable services to all eligible individuals, adapting its policies and operations to meet the evolving needs of Finnish society. Kela has a nationwide network of service points to assist its clients.