The report stated that global instability, inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic affected Kela’s operations in 2022. Despite these challenges, Kela’s benefit costs only increased by 0.9% compared to the previous year.
Health insurance benefits made up the largest part of Kela’s payments, 5 billion euros. The increase compared to the previous year was 6%. Instead, Kela paid 14.4% less unemployment benefits in 2022 than in 2021. The amount of pension benefits, general housing allowance and basic income allowance also decreased from the previous year.
The report also emphasized Kela’s response to crises and the importance of social insurance in uncertain times. Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the energy crisis and inflationary pressures, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic all affected Kela’s operations. For example, in 2022, Kela paid more than twice as much daily allowance for infectious diseases as in 2021.
In these challenging times, Kela played an important role in supporting individuals and families. CEO of Kela, Outi Antila, emphasized the importance of the institution’s flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions. He also emphasized Kela’s cooperation with the welfare regions and participation in the social security reform.
Kela also responded to the rise in the cost of living with an additional index correction of 3.5% to benefits linked to the national pension index in August 2022. Later in the year, Kela supported legislators in developing new support measures for families affected by the rise in electricity prices. .
In December 2022, Kela implemented the parliament’s initiative to double child benefits to support families facing increased living costs. In the coming year, Kela also anticipates people from Ukraine who would need its services when seeking asylum in Finland.
In summary, Kela’s annual report 2022 describes its commitment to providing essential social security benefits to those who need it in times of crisis and uncertainty. Despite the challenges of global instability and inflationary pressures, Kela continued to adapt to changing conditions and support Finnish individuals and families.
HT
Source: Kela
Source: The Nordic Page
