The Farmers’ Social Insurance Institution
Press release
18 June 2009
Grant recipients have to remember to take out insurance
From the beginning of 2009 artists and scientists whose work is financed
through grants have been covered by statutory pension and industrial injuries
insurance. So far 1,500 grant recipients have applied for new insurance
policies. By the end of the year there will be an estimated 3,000-4,000
applications.
It is also possible for those whose work is financed through grants which
were awarded last year to become covered by the new scheme. They should remember
to apply for insurance by the end of June.
The precondition for statutory insurance is that the work which is financed
through grants lasts for at least four months and that the grant intended to
finance the work amounts to at least 275 euros a month.
The grant recipient's contribution is approximately 12 per cent of the amount
of the grant. The grant recipient pays the contribution himself or herself. The
contribution may be deducted in the taxation. Most of the parties who award
grants have increased the grants which they award this year by an amount
corresponding to the contribution.
In addition to old-age pension, the statutory earnings-related pension scheme
offers the grant recipient provision in the event of disability and illness.
Benefits payable from the earnings-related pension scheme to the surviving
family members are survivors' pensions and benefits from group life
insurance.
For grant recipients the reform also meant coverage by statutory industrial
injuries insurance. In the event of industrial injury or occupational disease
the costs for treatment are paid from industrial injuries insurance without any
upper limit or deductible component. In addition, through industrial injuries
insurance it is possible to receive industrial injuries allowance.
The grant recipient may supplement the industrial injuries insurance policy
for the working hours by additionally taking out statutory off-working-hours
insurance. In this way, industrial injuries insurance is valid around the clock
and all over the world.
Social security for grant recipients was included as part of the Farmers’
Pensions Act (MYEL) and the Act on Industrial Injuries Insurance for Farmers.
Thus pension and industrial injuries insurance for grant recipients is handled
by the Farmers’ Social Insurance Institution (Mela).
Further information:
The Farmers' Social Insurance Institution, phone
number 020 630 0500