Pension accrual grows faster during peak earnings years – Check your pension record to see how much pension you have accrued
Earnings-related pension accrues differently at different ages because earnings generally increase as people get older. On average, a person in their fifties accrues around twice as much earnings-related pension in a year as a 25-year-old. Your pension record shows how much pension you have accrued and helps you understand what your future pension may be. The amount of your pension depends on your earnings and the length of your working life.
According to a recent estimate by the Finnish Centre for Pensions, a 25-year-old accrued, on average, a monthly pension of 30 euros during 2025. For people in their thirties, the average accrual was 39 euros, and for those in their forties, it was 48 euros.
Pension accrual generally grows fastest during the peak earning years of a working life. In 2025, people in their fifties accrued an average monthly pension of 57 euros.
The year 2025 was the last year in which people aged 53 to 62 accrued earnings-related pension at the higher rate of 1.7 per cent instead of the standard 1.5 per cent. As a result, the highest average pension accrual in 2025 was recorded among 54-year-olds, that is, those born in 1971. Their future pension increased by 63 euros a month during the year.
The Finnish Centre for Pensions’ estimates cover people living in Finland who are insured under the earnings-related pension scheme and were not receiving an earnings-related pension at the end of 2025, regardless of whether they worked during the year.
Pension accrual increases as your career progresses
Sampo Lappo, mathematician at the Finnish Centre for Pensions, who calculated the latest pension estimates, highlights the importance of earnings growth for future pensions. For many people, earnings increase in the later stages of their careers. This is also reflected in higher pension accrual.
“Earnings-related pension accrues gradually. Even in your thirties or fourties, there is no need to worry if the amount of pension you have accrued so far is still relatively modest. What matters is that your working life is long enough”, says Lappo.
According to the Finnish Centre for Pensions’ register data, people living in Finland who were 40 years old had accrued an average monthly pension of 696 euros by the end of 2025. For those aged the average monthly pension accrual was 1,218 euros, and for those aged 60, it was 1,777 euros.
The Finnish Centre for Pensions’ estimates cover people living in Finland who were insured under the earnings-related pension scheme and were not receiving an earnings-related pension at the end of 2025. The estimates take into account the projected life expectancy coefficients for different age groups. These coefficients reduce the monthly pensions of younger generations compared with older generations.
Your pension record helps you make informed choices
Your earnings-related pension is based on their earnings throughout your working life. If you receive earnings-related unemployment benefits or are on family leave, or study for a degree, you also accrue pension.
When your life situation changes, it becomes increasingly important to keep track of how much earnings-related pension you have accrued.
“Your pension record provides an up-to-date picture of how much pension you have accrued and on what basis. Checking your pension record helps you understand your situation and make informed choices when needed. It is also worth trying the calculators available on Tyoelake.fi, which provide quick estimates of your future pension,” Lappo explains.
How to increase your earnings-related pension
- Work and earn
If you are an employee, you accrue earnings-related pension from the age of 17 based on your annual earnings. If you are self-employed, you accrue earnings-related pension from the age of 18 based on your confirmed income from self-employment. Before 2005, earnings-related pension accrued as of age 23. - Postpone retirement
The longer you continue working, the more pension you accrue. If you start drawing your old-age pension after reaching your minimum retirement age, you will also receive an increment for deferred retirement. It may significantly increase your earnings-related pension. - Work while receiving a pension
You accrue new pension for work you do in retirement. You must apply for this new pension separately once you have reached the age when your insurance obligation ends. You can claim new pension you have accrued for work done while you are receiving a disability pension when your disability pension is converted into an old-age pension. - Check your pension record regularly
Your pension record shows the work for which you have earned pension and how much pension you have accrued so far. Make sure you check your pension record regularly, for example, once a year. This is important because your future pension will be calculated based on the information in your pension record. Please note that your pension record does not include any national pension you may be entitled to. You can check your pension record either through your pension provider’s website or via Tyoelake.fi.
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