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Annual Report of the Board Fewer new disability pension and vocational rehabilitation applica-
tions were submitted than in earlier years. Close co-operation with the
Seafarers’ Pension Fund 2022 Annual Report Seafarers’ Pension Fund’s rehabilitation partners continued for the pur-
pose of improving the impact of vocational rehabilitation. According
10 to plan, the work ability coordinator services were launched in 2022 for
vocational rehabilitation customers, those whose disability pension
application was rejected, and shipping companies as employers. The
aim of the services is to reduce disability risk and provide high-quality
and diverse customer service. Rehabilitation cases funded by the
Seafarers’ Pension Fund are managed within the online KuntoutuNET
system and by those pension benefit specialists who have completed
the work ability coordinator training for the processing of rehabilita-
tion and disability pension applications. Pension benefit specialists
participate actively in the different phases of the rehabilitation process,
thereby enhancing the overall success of the process.

Disability risk management

The Seafarers’ Pension Fund continued the well-being at work activities
and related co-operation aimed at reducing the risk of disability
in compliance with the regulations and guidelines of the Financial
Superv­ isory Authority. The activities are based on the survey carried
out jointly with the Rehabilitation Foundation, according to which
the greatest risk factors in terms of disability and mortality among
seafarers are their working conditions and lifestyle issues. Carried out
by the Rehabilitation Foundation, a more extensive study exploring
the mortality and disability among the working population in Finland
until the end of 2015 showed that mortality and disability still remain
at a high level among seafarers. The research results were published
in early 2019. The underlying reasons still include working conditions
and lifestyle issues.

During 2021, a co-operative project, ‘Hyvinvointia laivatyöhön’
(Well-being for those working on ships) was initiated together with the
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The purpose of the project is
to clarify the current state and development needs concerning health,
working conditions and occupational health co-operation within the
field of navigation. The research is being conducted by the Finnish
Institute of Occupational Health with the Seafarers’ Pension Fund
as partial financier and chair of the steering group. The project has
been delayed and will likely be completed by the end of 2023. For this
reason, the invoicing for the funding contributions of the Seafarers’
Pension Fund has, in its entirety, been moved to 2023.

Within the ForMare well-being at work programme, the activities
were targeted specifically to those seafarers whose work ability is most
threatened by their habitual physical activities, diet and lifestyle. The
revised ForMare 2.0 programme was implemented in 2022 with a
slightly higher number of participants than during the preceding year.
Altogether nine shipping companies, in the role of employer, took part
in the programme. The growth outlook for participation in 2023 is
promising. The programme is being continuously developed through
collaboration within the steering group.

To promote seafarers’ mental well-being and the management of