Finnish lawmakers responsible for supervising the Social Insurance Institution have collected more than €900,000 in fees between 2015 and 2025. Current parliament members received €531,411 of this total, while former MPs collected €377,837. These figures come from official data obtained through information requests.
National Coalition Party MP Sari Sarkomaa leads current parliament members with €94,070 received from Kela since 2015. She served as chair of the oversight committee during the 2015-2019 term, earning €39,183 for that role. Between 2019 and 2023, she received €33,606 as a regular committee member. This current term has brought her €21,281 through September.
Ritva Elomaa of the Finns Party ranks second among current MPs with €72,476 in total payments. Green League's Bella Forsgrén follows with €53,514 received from the oversight duties.
The parliamentary fees committee recently decided to increase MP compensation rates starting October 2025. This adjustment automatically raised payments for Kela overseers since their fees are tied directly to parliamentary compensation rates.
Kela oversight members receive one-fifteenth of an MP's annual compensation. The current formula calculates to €6,714.40 yearly, paid in monthly installments of €559.53. Committee chairs receive additional compensation equal to one-quarter of the base oversight fee.
Monthly payments for chairs increased from €666.08 to €699.42 under the new rates. Regular oversight members saw their monthly compensation rise from €532.87 to €559.53. Meeting fees also increased proportionally since they're calculated as one-quarter of monthly payments.
This compensation structure raises questions about transparency in political remuneration. While oversight work requires time and expertise, the automatic linkage to parliamentary pay creates a system where committee members benefit directly from decisions made about their own compensation.
The twelve oversight members hold substantial power over Finland's social security administration. They select Kela's board members and auditors, approve financial statements, and grant liability releases to the board. Last spring, they appointed Lasse Lehtonen as Kela's new director general following a 7-5 vote.
These positions represent an important but little-known aspect of Finnish parliamentary work. The oversight committee provides crucial checks on one of Finland's largest social welfare institutions, yet their compensation arrangements remain largely outside public discussion.
Current oversight committee members represent multiple parties across the political spectrum. Mira Nieminen of the Finns Party chairs the committee during this term. Other members come from the Centre Party, Social Democrats, and National Coalition Party, ensuring diverse political oversight.
The committee submits annual activity reports to parliament, maintaining accountability for their supervisory role over Finland's primary social benefits administrator.