The new change security system for people aged 55 and above whose employment has been terminated will come into force at the beginning of 2023. The change security includes change security allowance, the right to access training and an extended re-employment leave.
You can apply for change security if
- your employment has been terminated on or after 1 January 2023
- your employment has been terminated due to redundancy
- you are aged 55 or above at the time your employment is terminated
- you have been employed by the same employer for at least five years.
How to apply:
1. Register with the TE Office within 60 days of the termination of your employment
In order to receive change security, register with the TE Office as a jobseeker within 60 days of the termination of your employment. The TE Office will assess your eligibility for change security and notify you of their decision.
The date of termination is the date on which the notice of termination was given. This means that, if the notice period is long, you must register with the TE Office before you become unemployed.
2. Apply for change security allowance from your unemployment fund or Kela
The change security allowance is a one-off compensation equal to your average one month’s salary. Apply for change security allowance from your own unemployment fund within three months of the termination of your employment. If you are not a member of an unemployment fund, apply for change security allowance from Kela.
The change security allowance is paid from the unemployment fund even if your membership in the unemployment fund started just before the termination of your employment and you have not been a member of the fund long enough to receive earnings-related unemployment allowance.
Receiving change security allowance does not affect your unemployment security or other benefits, with the exception of social assistance. You do not need to be unemployed yet to receive change security allowance; you can receive it during your notice period as well. If you are immediately re-employed by the employer who dismissed you, you may have to pay the change security allowance back.
3. Apply for change security training through the TE Office
You can apply for change security training through the TE Office. Participation in change security training is voluntary. The training is provided through the TE Office or the ELY Centre, and it can last up to 6 months.
Extended paid re-employment leave
Employees whose employment has been terminated due to redundancy and who are covered by the change security system are entitled to an extended re-employment leave that is 5 days longer than normal.
More information: Change security