News
Summer 2025 offers a wide range of maritime-themed events across Finland and Europe.
Pension Advisory Services in Summer 2025
The Seafarer's Pension Fund pension advisory services will be on summer holiday from 21 July to 3 August.
In 2024, in line with our strategy, we focused on developing customer orientation and responsibility.
In 2024, the number of insured persons increased to 7,568 (7,226), and the total payroll rose by 8.8 percent, exceeding 300 million euros. Newly reflagged vessels under the Finnish flag contributed to increased travel activity, leading to the share of passenger shipping rising to 53.9 percent of the total payroll.
Download Your Electronic Pensioner Card
You can now receive the Seafarers' Pension Fund pensioner card in electronic format.
Wishing our customers and partners a delightful holiday season!
MEL-pension contributions 2025
The employee's pension contribution is as high as the employee's pension contribution in conformance with the Employee's Pensions Act (TyEL). The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health ratifies yearly the percentage of employer's pension contribution. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health ratifies yearly the percentage of employer's pension contribution.
Housing company Bostads Ab Skonerten, located on Doppingvägen in Mariehamn, has sold the property destroyed in July 2024 along with the associated land plot on December 2, 2024, to the Åland-based construction company Allbygg Ab.
The Fair Shipping Culture Pilot Project is launched by the Seafarers’ Pension Fund and Finnish Shipowners’ Association, with CoHumans Oy as the expert. Take the survey – and be part of strengthening fairness in maritime workplaces!
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has confirmed the earnings-related pension index rates for 2024. The earnings-related pension index will increase by approximately 1,3 per cent in comparison to 2024. The new pension index is 3077. All currently paid or latest 1.12.2024 starting earnings-related pensions are adjusted according to this index.
The Seafarer’s Pension Fund will participate in the Maritime Fair 2024 at Aboa Mare. Come visit our booth, ask about pension matters, and try your luck at our wheel of fortune!
Based on a 2019 study, the LOBAS leadership training program was launched. Now, we want to assess the current state of leadership in the maritime industry.
In accordance with the real estate investment strategy of the Seafarers' Pension Fund, the pension fund aims in the long term to diversify real estate investments outside of Finland and to primarily transition to indirect real estate investments. In June 2024, the first transaction of this type was completed, where three housing companies owned by the pension fund in the Helsinki metropolitan area (Helsingin Merilokki, Helsingin Merikotka, and Vantaan Kippari) were transferred to the ownership of the Swedish Slättö Core+ real estate fund, and the Seafarers' Pension Fund correspondingly subscribed to shares in the mentioned real estate fund.
AI Strategy for the Years 2024–2026
In the spring of 2024, the Seafarers' Pension Fund created an AI strategy for the years 2024–2026 that aligns with MEK's business strategy. Our goal is to enhance the customer and employee experience with the aid of artificial intelligence. Moreover, we aim to use diverse data more effectively.
Changes for MEL pension recipients – tax card information directly from the tax authority
We will retrieve the tax rate for individuals receiving MEL pension or benefit directly from the tax authority's system.
Anu Imppola has been appointed as Director (COO) at the Seafarer's Pension Fund, effective August 12, 2024. She will join the management team of the Seafarer's Pension Fund and serve as the head of the administration and finance team.
The real-returns on investments by the Seafarers' Pension Fund were the highest over the long term compared to other Finnish pension operators, as shown by the international comparison of investment returns published by the Finnish Centre for Pensions on May 6, 2024.
The Seafarer's Pension Fund's renewed Annual and Sustainability Report 2023 has been published. Our goal for 2023 was to improve customer experience and sustainability.
In 2023, the number of insured persons and amount of the premium income increased from the previous year. According to the unconfirmed information in the financial statements for 2023, the return on investments was 4.0%. The solvency ratio of the Fund continues to be at an extremely strong level, 185.8%, while the average for earnings-related pension companies is 126.4%.