July Newsletter

Rule Amendments of the Kone’s Employee Benefit Fund for Operatives – 6 July 2026

The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN-FSA) approved the new rules of the Kone’s Employee Benefit Fund for Operatives on 6 July 2026, and they entered into force on the same date. The change to the reimbursement percentage for the additional pharmaceutical benefit will enter into force on 1 August 2026, as pharmacy systems will only receive the necessary updates at the end of July. All other rule amendments are effective as of 6 July 2026.

Key changes in the new rules

Section 4 of the Rules

Clarifications to the conditions and limitations for belonging to the scope of operations

  • Persons whose employment contract has no minimum working hours (so‑called zero‑hour contracts) and persons who have retired on old‑age pension and continue working for the employer are not included in the scope of operations.

Section 8 of the Rules

  • Clarified principles regarding assignments abroad.
  • Added a provision concerning annual holiday pay during layoff: if an employee on layoff receives annual holiday pay for holiday falling within the layoff period, the insurance contribution may be collected for that period if the member wishes to keep the additional benefits in force during the holiday.

Changes to Additional Benefits

  • The section on private healthcare doctors’ fees has been divided, with procedures and surgeries now listed separately.
  • A maximum reimbursement amount of EUR 5,000 per procedure has been added for surgeries in private healthcare.
  • Public healthcare client fees now also include visit and procedure fees in oral and dental healthcare. However, co‑payments for dental care service vouchers are reimbursed according to the dental care section.
  • The additional pharmaceutical benefit changes from 100% → 90% for the portion exceeding the initial deductible. This amendment enters into force on 1 August 2026, once pharmacy systems have been updated.
  • A EUR 1,000 per‑examination cap has been added for examinations and treatments.
  • The reimbursement for massage changes to 80% for treatment provided by a licensed masseur. Previously, the reimbursement rate was 90%.

Reminder: Benefit Fund Survey for Members

The Kone’s Employee Benefit Fund opened a member survey in June, and it remains available until 15 August 2026. The survey collects experiences and views on the Fund’s operations, additional benefits, and the impacts of the rule amendments. We kindly remind you to respond — your feedback provides valuable insights for the development of our Benefit Fund. If you have not yet participated, please take a few minutes to complete the survey.

You can respond to the survey here: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/36A2B6F917D4D99E

Thank you for your valuable feedback!