Finland maintains its farmers' early retirement scheme up to 2014.

The implementation period of the Farmers´ early retirement scheme in Finland has been extended for the years 2011-2014. The scheme based on the Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 is approved by the European Commission. The farmers´ early retirement aid scheme in Finland is financed completely on national funds.

The main target of the early retirement aid scheme is to improve the structure of agriculture. According to the scheme the elderly farmer has two alternative ways to transfer a farm, in order to get the early retirement aid. The first alternative is to sell the farm to a young successor who will succeed the transferor as the head of the farm. The second alternative is to sell or to rent the agricultural land as additional land to neighbouring farmers. The age-limit for the farmers´ early retirement aid is from 56 to 63.

The early retirement aid scheme is closely linked and is in harmony with the social security system of farmers in Finland. The scheme is administered by the Farmers´ Social Insurance Institution (MELA).