The Social Insurance Institution of Finland, commonly known as Kela (Kansaneläkelaitos in Finnish), is a government agency responsible for administering social security benefits and services in Finland. Kela operates under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and plays a crucial role in the Finnish social welfare system.
Mandate and Purpos
Kela’s main objective is to provide social security to residents of Finland. Its services encompass a wide range of benefits and support to ensure the well-being and financial security of individuals and families. Kela provides various benefits and services related to healthcare, family support, unemployment, pensions, housing, and disability. Some of the major services and benefits offered by Kela include. Kela is responsible for reimbursement of medical expenses, prescription medications, and other healthcare-related costs. Kela administers maternity and parental allowances, child benefits, and other family-related financial support. Kela provides unemployment benefits to individuals who are temporarily unemployed and seeking work. Kela administers various types of pensions, including national pensions and pensions for different occupational groups. Kela offers disability benefits and services to individuals with disabilities, including rehabilitation and support measures. Kela provides financial assistance for housing costs to eligible individuals and families. Kela has a strong online presence, offering a range of digital services to citizens. People can apply for benefits, check their entitlements, and manage their affairs through Kela’s online portal. Kela operates customer service centers throughout Finland, where individuals can receive assistance in person. These centers provide guidance on benefit applications, eligibility criteria, and other related matters. Kela is funded through various sources, including contributions from employers and employees, government funding, and other revenues. Kela collaborates closely with other government agencies and institutions, as well as healthcare providers and municipalities, to ensure the effective delivery of social security services. Kela plays a vital role in the Finnish welfare system, as it helps ensure that citizens have access to essential services and financial support during various life situations, such as unemployment, illness, family changes, and retirement. Kela’s activities are governed by Finnish laws and regulations related to social security and welfare. These laws outline the eligibility criteria, benefit levels, and application procedures for the services provided by Kela.
Overall, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) plays a central role in providing social security benefits and services to residents of Finland, contributing to the country’s comprehensive welfare system.
My kanta service
In OmaKanta, you can see health information and gradually information about social services. You can also request a prescription renewal or save a treatment will. You can log in to OmaKanta with e.g. online banking credentials.
In OmaKanta, you can read the records related to treatment, request a prescription renewal, check the results of laboratory and X-ray examinations, gradually see the information of social services, save your will for treatment and organ donation donation permit for the release of your own data or prohibit their release browse your own well-being information and save measurement results and get an EU corona certificate
Use requires a Finnish social security number and means of identification. You must log in to OmaKanta in order to see your own information. Identification tools include online banking credentials, mobile certificate (opens in a new window) chip-enabled ID card that enables online transactions. (opens in a new window) You can also identify yourself with an organization card issued by the Digital and Population Information Agency or a social and healthcare professional card.
Keva
Keva is an independent entity under public law. Its operation is based on the Public Sector Pension Act enacted in 2016, which replaced the previous laws Municipal Pension Act, State Pension Act, Church Pension Act and the Act on the National Pension Institute. Keva cannot compete for private sector customers.
Keva’s supreme decision-making power is exercised by the delegation, the members of which are appointed by the Ministry of Finance for each municipal election period. The delegation has 30 members who represent the municipal sector or main contracting organizations in the municipal sector. In principle, the delegation appoints Keva’s CEO, but in practice the choice is made by one of the three parties in turn: the Coalition, the Social Democratic Party or the Center. The delegation also elects Keva’s board of directors and decides on the financing of the municipal pension system. The board consists of 9 members and its term of office is two years. The board directs and supervises Keva’s operations and decides on the investment plan for pension funds.My own pension after turning 63 in 2032 is estimated to be around 2100 euros, and after turning 68 in 2037 it will be around 3000 euros
Digital stores
While comparing the price level of online stores and local stores and other services included in delivery, my attention was drawn to the price of delivery of orders. In general, the prices of the products are cheaper, but the contents of the deliveries are different. Some of the products require additional parts at a different price and the freight costs of the deliveries are relatively high. When you add all of these together, the price set for the product in the local store is competitive, and the quality is easier to check than in online stores. The price level of online stores is based on a large sales volume, while in local stores, the sales volumes are small and there are no freight costs for the customer. The online stores I use can be considered reliable, some of the stores are located in Europe, so there are no customs fees for the products, for some customers, for example, products ordered from Great Britain will be a surprise that taxes will be added to the shipments as a result of Brexit. As a professional teacher, Online stores are a way to get, for example, textbooks for students. Municipal corporations have entered into delivery agreements with certain suppliers, textbooks are purchased in bulk through their online stores.
Virtual servises
Many essential services, resources, and information are now available online. People who don’t use virtual services might miss out on important updates, news, educational materials, job opportunities, and more. Virtual services, including social media and communication platforms, help people stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues. Not using these services could lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from social circles. Online banking, digital payment systems, and e-commerce have become commonplace. Those who don’t use virtual services might struggle with accessing and managing their finances, making secure online transactions, and taking advantage of digital discounts and offers. Many job applications and recruitment processes take place online. Not utilizing virtual services could hinder someone’s ability to search for and apply to jobs effectively, limiting their employment opportunities. Virtual healthcare services, like telemedicine, provide convenient access to medical consultations and advice. Those who don’t use these services might face challenges in accessing timely healthcare, especially in situations where in-person visits are not feasible. Online learning platforms offer a wide range of courses and educational resources. Not taking advantage of these platforms could hinder ongoing learning and skill development. Virtual services can help streamline tasks and save time. Not using them might result in inefficiencies in various aspects of life, such as shopping, bill payments, appointment scheduling, and more. People who avoid virtual services might have less awareness of cybersecurity risks and best practices, making them more susceptible to online scams, data breaches, and privacy violations. As technology becomes more integrated into various aspects of life, those who are not familiar with virtual services might struggle with using digital systems, apps, and tools. Online networking, workshops, conferences, and webinars offer opportunities for personal and professional growth. Not participating in these virtual events could limit exposure to new ideas and opportunities. People who don’t use virtual services might need to rely on others to perform tasks that are easily accomplished through digital means, potentially leading to inconvenience and dependency. Not everyone has equal access to technology and the internet. Those who choose not to use virtual services might reinforce disparities in access and knowledge, contributing to the digital divide.
It’s important to note that while virtual services offer numerous benefits, they also come with their own set of challenges and risks. Striking a balance between offline and online activities can help individuals make the most of what both worlds have to offer while mitigating potential downsides.
Self reflektion
This task section made me think about what kind of user of digital services I am. is my behavior normal, or could I somehow make more use of digital services online? For example, could I use the services of online stores or the online services of healthcare differently.
Timo Ahonen 
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