Take out or transfer YEL insurance
YEL insurance, i.e. pension insurance for the self-employed, forms the basis of a self-employed person’s social security.
- You need YEL insurance if you are self-employed.
- You can take out YEL insurance with Varma quickly online.
- New entrepreneurs receive a 22 per cent discount on their insurance contributions.
Three reasons to choose Varma's YEL insurance
Discount for a new entrepreneur
If you are starting out as an entrepreneur, you will automatically get a 22 per cent discount on your YEL insurance contributions for your first four years.
Friendly and professional service
Our experts support you through every stage of self-employment. Our friendly customer service is easy to reach by phone, chat or through Varma Online Service.
Easy-to-use online service
As Varma’s customer, you have access to the clear and user-friendly Varma Online Service. You can check your information and take care of YEL matters online whenever it suits you best.
Take out YEL insurance easily online
For the insurance application, you only need
- online banking codes or a Mobile ID
- an estimate of your company's turnover and working hours.
If you already have YEL insurance with another company, we will terminate the insurance on your behalf.
Take out YEL insurance over the phone
You can also take out YEL insurance over the phone. Call us at 010 244 1010, and we will go over your situation together.
You can reach our sales from Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 16:00. You can also leave our sales a contact request.
Transferring your YEL insurance is easy
Changing pension companies and transferring your YEL insurance to Varma is straightforward. Simply complete the online transfer application, and we will take care of the termination with your current provider.
Frequently asked questions about the YEL insurance
You need YEL insurance if:
- You are aged between 18 and 69.
- You work in your own business or as a light entrepreneur.
- Your entrepreneurial activity continues for at least four months.
- The value of your work input, i.e. your YEL income, is at least EUR 9,423.09 in 2026.
If your entrepreneurial activity lasts less than four months or the value of your work input is low (less than approximately EUR 785 per month in 2026), you do not need YEL insurance.
Take out YEL insurance from the date on which your work actually begins (for example, on your first day of work, when your first invoiced work begins, or when you start your self-employed activity).
Your business activity must also be extensive enough for your YEL income to be at least EUR 785 per month, or EUR 9,423.09 per year (2026).
The start date of your insurance may differ from your company's registration date if you do not begin working immediately when the business is registered.
Yes, you can. You have six months to take out your insurance. However, please note that:
- Your insurance will start from the date on which your insurance obligation has begun.
- You will need to pay contributions retrospectively for that period.
If you take out insurance more than six months later:
- You may have to pay a late-payment penalty in addition to the normal insurance contributions.
- The penalty is at least 10 per cent of the YEL contributions for the period concerned.
- The longer the retroactive period for which you take out the insurance, the higher the amount you will have to pay in one go.
The Finnish Centre for Pensions monitors YEL insurance. If you do not take out YEL insurance, the Finnish Centre for Pensions may ultimately take it out on your behalf.
In that case, in addition to the standard YEL contribution, you will have to pay a late payment penalty of at least 30 per cent and at most 100 per cent of the YEL contribution for the period of negligence. The amount of the late payment penalty is confirmed by the State Treasury.
Yes, they do. Light entrepreneurs who work in an entrepreneurial manner without their own company or a business ID are also regarded as entrepreneurs in terms of pension insurance.
Help with using our services
Take care of your YEL matters online
In our online service, you can, for instance
- apply for a change in your YEL income
- view your past and future YEL contribution
- request an extended term of payment for an invoice
Sign in to the service using your personal banking codes.