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<h1>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2016</h1>
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<h1>Sweden</h1>
<div class="exchangeRate">Exchange rate: <abbr class="spell">US</abbr>$1.00&nbsp;= 8.44&nbsp;kronor.</div>
<h2>Old Age, Disability, and Survivors</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1913.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 1962 (national insurance); 1998 (pensions), implemented in 1999; 2000 (pensions); 2008 (sickness); and 2010 (social insurance), implemented in 2011.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Notional defined contribution (<abbr class="spell">NDC</abbr>), social insurance, and mandatory individual account system.</p>
<p>Note: The social insurance <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension system covers employed and self-employed persons born before 1938 (contributions can no longer be made to this system). There is a gradual transition from the earnings-related social insurance system to the <abbr class="spell">NDC</abbr> and mandatory individual account system for persons born from 1938 to 1953.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Earnings-related pension (<abbr class="spell">NDC</abbr>):</span> Employed and self-employed persons born since 1954. Special transition rules apply to those born from 1938 to 1953.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Premium pension (mandatory individual account):</span> Employed and self-employed persons.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Guarantee pension:</span> Residents of Sweden.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Earnings-related disability pension (sickness compensation) (social insurance):</span> Employed and self-employed persons.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Guarantee&nbsp;disability&nbsp;pension (sickness compensation):</span> Residents of Sweden.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> 7% of assessable income (old age) plus an average of 0.028% of account value (2015) for <abbr class="spell">NDC</abbr> administrative fees, and an average of 0.38% of asset value (2015) for premium pension (mandatory individual account) fees; an additional cost for voluntary survivor benefits (premium pension (mandatory individual account)).</p>
<p>The minimum annual income used to calculate contributions is 18,739&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>The maximum annual income used to calculate contributions is 478,551&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>Of the combined insured person and employer contributions, 2.5% finances the premium pension (mandatory individual account).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> 17.21% of assessable income (old age) plus an average of 0.028% of account value (2015 for <abbr class="spell">NDC</abbr> administrative fees, and an average of 0.38% of asset value (2015) for individual account (premium pension) fees. 1.17% of assessable income (survivors). An additional cost for voluntary survivor benefits (premium pension (mandatory individual account)).</p>
<p>The minimum annual income used to calculate contributions is 18,739&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>The maximum annual income used to calculate contributions is 478,551&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>Of the total self-employed person's contributions paid for old age, 2.5% finances the premium pension (mandatory individual account).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 10.21% of payroll (old age); 4.85% of payroll (disability (sickness compensation)); 1.17% of payroll (survivors).</p>
<p>Of the combined insured person and employer contributions, 2.5% finances the premium pension (mandatory individual account).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> The total cost of the guarantee pensions. The government pays earnings-related contributions for central government civil servants and contributions based on notional income for persons receiving sickness or disability benefits, student aid, or cash parental benefits.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Earnings-related <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension (<abbr class="spell">NDC</abbr>):</span> The retirement age is flexible, beginning at age&nbsp;61. The insured must have at least three years with annual income of at least the minimum income used to calculate contributions for each year.</p>
<p>The minimum income used to calculate contributions in 2016 is 18,739&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>The earnings-related <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension is payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Premium pension (mandatory individual account):</span> The retirement age is flexible, beginning at age&nbsp;61. The insured must have at least three years with annual income of at least the minimum income used to calculate contributions for each year.</p>
<p>The minimum income used to calculate contributions in 2016 is 18,739&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>The premium pension is payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Guarantee pension:</span> Age&nbsp;65, a resident of Sweden for at least three years, and receiving little or no income from earnings-related pensions.</p>
<p>The guarantee pension is payable abroad to insured persons living in the European Union, European Economic Area, Switzerland, and, under certain conditions, Canada.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Earnings-related disability pension (sickness compensation) (social insurance):</span> Must have at least a 25% assessed loss of work capacity, and at least one year of income in Sweden within a given period.</p>
<p>The earnings-related disability pension is payable abroad.</p>
<p>Constant-attendance supplement: Paid if the insured requires the constant attendance of others to perform daily functions.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Guarantee disability pension (sickness compensation):</span> Must be covered when the disability began, have at least a 25% assessed loss of work capacity, have at least three years of coverage, and receive little or no income from earnings-related pensions.</p>
<p>Constant-attendance supplement: Paid if the insured requires the constant attendance of others to perform daily functions.</p>
<p>The guarantee disability pension is payable abroad to insured persons living in the European Union, European Economic Area, Switzerland, and, under certain conditions, Canada.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension (adjustment pension):</span> Paid to a surviving spouse, registered partner, or a person under certain circumstances who cohabited with the deceased. The survivor must be younger than age&nbsp;65.</p>
<p>The adjustment pension is payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension (widow's pension) (social insurance):</span> Paid to women born in 1944 or earlier who were married to the deceased before January&nbsp;1, 1990, and met the qualifying conditions at the date of death. Transitional rules apply to women born in 1945 or later and who were married to the deceased before January&nbsp;1, 1990, until the date of the deceased's death, and met the qualifying conditions on December&nbsp;31, 1989, and at the date of the deceased's death. The deceased must have had at least three years of income in Sweden within a given period. Widows younger than age&nbsp;65 may receive an adjustment pension. Under certain circumstances, when the adjustment pension ceases a widow may receive a widow´s pension.</p>
<p>The widow's pension is payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension (<abbr class="spell">NDC</abbr>):</span> There is no survivor pension.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension (premium pension):</span> Paid to the surviving spouse or partner if the insured elected coverage for this benefit.</p>
<p>The premium pension is payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Guarantee spouse's pension:</span> Paid if younger than age&nbsp;65 and receiving low or no adjustment or widow's pension. The deceased must have resided in Sweden for at least three years. A full benefit is paid with 40&nbsp;years of residence. If the insured died before age&nbsp;64, the difference between the deceased's age at the date of death and age&nbsp;64 is counted toward years of residence.</p>
<p>The guarantee spouse's pension ceases on remarriage (on cohabiting under certain conditions) or when the survivor reaches age&nbsp;65.</p>
<p>The guarantee spouse's pension is payable abroad to insured persons living in the European Union, European Economic Area, Switzerland, and, under certain circumstances, Canada.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension (child pension) (social insurance):</span> Paid to a surviving child up to age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;20 if a student).</p>
<p>The orphan's pension is payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Surviving children's allowance:</span> Paid to a surviving child up to age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;20 if a student) with a small or no orphan's pension.</p>
<p>The surviving children's allowance is payable abroad to insured persons living in the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland.</p>
<h3>Old-Age Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Earnings-related <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension (<abbr class="spell">NDC</abbr>):</span> The pension is based on lifetime earnings (including any disability pension payments received), an annual index of trends in average wages, an annuity factor depending on average life expectancy at the time of retirement for the appropriate age cohort (based on the most recent <span class="nobr">five-year</span> average of unisex life expectancy projections), and the expected increase of average wages in future years (1.6%).</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in wages.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Premium pension (mandatory individual account):</span> The insured may choose between single or joint life annuities based on the accumulated capital in the individual account. Annuities can be fixed or variable rate.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to account values and life expectancy.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Guarantee pension:</span> 94,356&nbsp;kronor a year is paid to a single pensioner (84,168&nbsp;kronor if married) born in 1938 or later with at least 40&nbsp;years of residence and no earnings-related pension. 96,636&nbsp;kronor a year is paid to a single pensioner (86,093&nbsp;kronor if married) born in 1937 or earlier. The pension is reduced by 2.5% for each year of residence less than 40. If the insured receives an earnings-related pension the guarantee pension is gradually reduced until no guarantee pension is paid at a certain amount.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in prices.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Earnings-related disability pension (sickness compensation) (social insurance):</span> 64.7% (October&nbsp;2015) of the insured's assumed future annual income is paid.</p>
<p>Assumed future income is based on the average of the three best income years within a given period immediately before the year of the claim.</p>
<p>The maximum annual income used to calculate benefits is 332,250&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>The maximum annual benefit is 214,966&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in prices.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Guarantee disability pension (sickness compensation):</span> 106,320&nbsp;kronor a year is paid if the insured is assessed as totally disabled and has at least 40&nbsp;years of residence and no earnings-related benefit. The pension is reduced by 2.5% for each year of residence less than 40. If the insured receives an earnings-related pension, the guarantee disability pension is gradually reduced until no guarantee disability pension is paid at a certain amount.</p>
<p>A reduced pension is paid at 75%, 50%, or 25% of the full pension according to the assessed degree of disability.</p>
<p>Constant-attendance supplement: Up to 30,564&nbsp;kronor a year is paid.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in prices.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension (adjustment pension):</span> 55% of the deceased's accrued <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension rights (based on the amount and years of contributions) is paid. The adjustment pension is based on the <abbr class="spell">NDC</abbr> pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive.</p>
<p>The pension is paid for 12&nbsp;months. If the surviving spouse has custody of a child younger than age&nbsp;18, the pension is extended for 12&nbsp;months; for a child or children younger than age&nbsp;12, the pension continues until the youngest child reaches age&nbsp;12.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in wages.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension (widow's pension) (social insurance):</span> 90% of the base amount is paid to a widow aged&nbsp;50 to 64 at the time of the death or with children younger than age&nbsp;17. The benefit is reduced by 6.7% a year for each year the widow is younger than age&nbsp;50.</p>
<p>The base amount is 44,300&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>40% of the social insurance earnings-related <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive is also paid to the widow; 35% if the orphan's pension is paid.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in wages.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension (<abbr class="spell">NDC</abbr>):</span> There is no survivor pension.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension (premium pension):</span> If the insured dies after retiring, a benefit is paid as a life time annuity.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Guarantee spouse's pension:</span> 94,356&nbsp;kronor a year is paid to an eligible <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> if the deceased had at least 40&nbsp;years of residence in Sweden. The pension is reduced by 2.5% for each year of residence less than 40. If the <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> receives an earnings-related spouse's pension, the guarantee pension is gradually reduced until no guarantee pension is paid at a certain amount.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in prices.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension (child pension) (social insurance):</span> 35% of the deceased's accrued pension rights (based on the amount and years of contributions made) is paid for an orphan younger than age&nbsp;12. The pension is increased by 25% for each additional orphan. When the youngest child reaches age&nbsp;12, 30% is paid for an orphan up to age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;20 if a student); the pension is increased by 20% for each additional orphan. If there is more than one orphan, the total amount is split equally.</p>
<p>All orphans' benefits combined must not exceed 100% of the deceased's pension (80% if an adult is receiving an adjustment pension or a widow's pension).</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in wages.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Surviving children's allowance:</span> 17,720&nbsp;kronor a year is paid to a surviving child up to age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;20 if a student) who is not receiving any orphan's pension. If a child receives the orphan's pension, the surviving children's allowance is reduced by the amount of the orphan's pension received.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in prices.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Swedish Pensions Agency (<a href="https://www.pensionsmyndigheten.se/">http://www.pensionsmyndigheten.se</a>) administers the <span class="nobr">old-age</span> and survivor's programs.</p>
<p>Self-employed persons and employers pay contributions along with income tax.</p>
<p>Swedish Social Insurance Agency (<a href="https://www.forsakringskassan.se">http://www.forsakringskassan.se</a>) administers and supervises the disability program.</p>
<p>Regional and local social insurance bodies administer the disability program.</p>
<h2>Sickness and Maternity</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First laws:</span> 1891 (cash benefits) and 1931 (medical benefits).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 1991 (sick pay) and 2010 (social insurance), implemented 2011.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance (cash benefits) and universal (medical benefits) system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Cash benefits:</span> Gainfully employed persons earning 10,700&nbsp;kronor or more a year and involuntarily unemployed persons registered with the employment service.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Parental cash benefits (parental insurance):</span>&nbsp;Residents of Sweden.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits:</span> Residents of Sweden.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Cash benefits:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Medical benefits:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Cash benefits:</span> 4.85% of earnings (sickness) (contributions may vary) plus 2.6% (parents' benefits).</p>
<p><span class="h5">Medical benefits:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Cash benefits:</span> 4.85% of payroll plus 2.6% (parents' benefits).</p>
<p><span class="h5">Medical benefits:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Cash benefits:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Medical benefits:</span> Regional county councils pay the total cost.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Cash sickness benefits:</span> Must have at least a 25% assessed loss of work capacity.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Parental cash benefits (parental insurance):</span> Must be covered for cash sickness benefits above the guarantee level (depending on the insured's income) for at least 240&nbsp;days before the expected date of birth.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Pregnancy cash benefits (parental insurance):</span> Paid to a pregnant woman employed in a physically demanding or dangerous job whose employer is not able to transfer her to less demanding or dangerous work.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Temporary parental cash benefit (parental insurance):</span> Paid for the absence of a parent from work to care for a sick child younger than age&nbsp;12 (age&nbsp;16 or 18 if seriously ill; age&nbsp;21 if chronically ill or disabled).</p>
<h3>Sickness and Maternity Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Sickness benefit:</span> 80% of the insured's lost earnings is paid from day 15 through day 364 (longer if a serious disease) (employers pay 80% of the insured's earnings from day two through day 14); may be extended up to 550&nbsp;days at 75% of the insured's lost earnings. Pensioners are limited to 180&nbsp;days of the benefit after retirement.</p>
<p>Unemployed persons are paid from day two and receive 80% of earnings from their previous employment. Self-employed persons and other qualifying nonemployed persons receive 80% of lost earnings from day two.</p>
<p>The maximum annual income used to calculate benefits is 332,250&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>The maximum daily benefit is 706&nbsp;kronor (543&nbsp;kronor for unemployed persons).</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in prices.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Parental cash benefit (parental insurance):</span> Around 80% of the insured's lost earnings is paid for up to 390&nbsp;days plus 180&nbsp;kronor a day for an additional 90&nbsp;days. The total benefit duration for both parents combined is 480&nbsp;days for each child and may be paid from 60&nbsp;days before the expected date of childbirth until the child reaches age&nbsp;8 (age&nbsp;12 for children born on or after January&nbsp;1, 2014). When both parents care for the child, each parent receives at least 60&nbsp;days of benefits that cannot be transferred to the other parent.</p>
<p>The maximum annual income used to calculate benefits is 443,000&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>The minimum daily benefit for the <span class="nobr">390-day</span> period is 250&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>The maximum daily benefit for the <span class="nobr">390-day</span> period is 942&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in prices.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Pregnancy cash benefit (parental insurance):</span> 80% of the insured's lost earnings is paid. For women in a physically demanding job, the benefit is paid for up to 50&nbsp;days, beginning 60&nbsp;days and no later than 11&nbsp;days before the expected date of childbirth. For women in a dangerous job, the benefit is paid for the whole pregnancy up to 11&nbsp;days before the expected date of childbirth.</p>
<p>The maximum annual income used to calculate benefits is 332,250&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in prices.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Temporary parental cash benefit (parental insurance):</span> 80% of the insured's lost earnings is paid. The total benefit duration for both parents combined is 60&nbsp;days for each child a year; may be extended for 60&nbsp;days for each child. The father (or other parent) is entitled to 10&nbsp;extra days of benefits in connection with the child's birth.</p>
<p>The maximum annual income used to calculate benefits is 332,250&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>The maximum daily benefit is 706&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in prices.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Benefits include free medical and dental care for children up to age&nbsp;20, subsidies for basic and preventive dental care, a <span class="nobr">high-cost</span> limit for prosthetic treatment, and free insulin.</p>
<p>Cost sharing: The insured pays from 100&nbsp;kronor to 350&nbsp;kronor for each doctor's visit, up to 1,100&nbsp;kronor in a <span class="nobr">12-month</span> period; up to 100&nbsp;kronor a day (reduced for low-income earners) for inpatient treatment in a public hospital (including in a maternity ward).</p>
<p>A percentage of transportation costs are reimbursed.</p>
<p>The insured pays the full cost of medicine up to 1,100&nbsp;kronor in a <span class="nobr">12-month</span> period; thereafter, the partial cost of medicine up to 2,200&nbsp;kronor a year.</p>
<h3>Dependents' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Medical benefits for dependents are the same as those for the insured.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Cash benefits:</span> Swedish Social Insurance Agency (<a href="https://www.forsakringskassan.se">http://www.forsakringskassan.se</a>) provides central administration and supervision.</p>
<p>Regional and local social insurance offices administer the program.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits:</span> The Health and Social Care Inspectorate (<a href="https://www.ivo.se">http://www.ivo.se</a>) provides central supervision.</p>
<p>Regional county councils administer the program.</p>
<h2>Work Injury</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1901.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 1976 (social insurance) and 1991 (sick pay).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employed and self-employed persons.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> 0.3% of declared earnings.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 0.3% of payroll.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> None.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Temporary disability benefits:</span> There is no minimum qualifying period.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Permanent disability benefits:</span> There is no minimum qualifying period. The insured must have an annual income loss of at least 11,125&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<h3>Temporary Disability Benefits</h3>
<p>80% of the insured's lost earnings is paid from day&nbsp;15 through day&nbsp;364 (longer if a serious disease) (employers pay 80% of the insured's earnings from day two through day&nbsp;14); may be extended up to 550&nbsp;days at 75% of the insured's lost earnings. Pensioners are limited to 180&nbsp;days of benefits after retirement.</p>
<p>The minimum annual income used to calculate benefits is 10,700&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>The maximum annual income used to calculate benefits is 332,250&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>Self-employed persons receive 80% of lost earnings from days two to 90 (depending on the waiting period chosen).</p>
<p>The maximum daily benefit is 706&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in prices.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Permanent disability benefit:</span> 100% of the insured's lost earnings is paid as an annuity for a total loss (100%) of earning capacity.</p>
<p>The maximum annual income used to calculate benefits is 332,250&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>Partial disability: If the assessed degree of loss of earning capacity is 6.7% to 99%, the benefit paid is in proportion to the assessed degree of loss in earning capacity.</p>
<p>The payment of permanent disability benefits is coordinated with the payment of sickness compensation benefits (see Old Age, Disability, and Survivors).</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in the combined wage and consumer price index.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Benefits include a <span class="nobr">high-cost</span> limit for prosthetic treatment.</p>
<p>Cost sharing: The insured pays from 100&nbsp;kronor to 350&nbsp;kronor for each doctor's visit, up to 1,100&nbsp;kronor in a <span class="nobr">12-month</span> period; up to 100&nbsp;kronor a day (reduced for low-income earners) for inpatient treatment in a public hospital (including in a maternity ward).</p>
<p>A percentage of transportation costs are reimbursed.</p>
<p>The insured pays the full cost of medicine, up to 1,100&nbsp;kronor in a <span class="nobr">12-month</span> period; thereafter, patients pay the partial cost of medicine, up to 2,200&nbsp;kronor in a <span class="nobr">12-month</span> period.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension (adjustment annuity):</span> 45% of the permanent disability benefit the deceased received or was entitled to receive is paid; 20% if an orphan's pension is paid for the deceased's children.</p>
<p>The pension is paid for 12&nbsp;months. If the survivor has custody of a child younger than age&nbsp;18, the pension is extended for 12&nbsp;months; for a child or children younger than age&nbsp;12, the pension continues until the youngest child reaches age&nbsp;12.</p>
<p>Eligible survivors include a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> younger than age&nbsp;65 who was married to or, under certain conditions, cohabited with the deceased for at least five years or was raising a child younger than age&nbsp;18 at the date of the insured's death.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension (child annuity):</span> 40% of the permanent disability benefit the deceased received or was entitled to receive is paid to one orphan younger than age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;20 if a student); the pension is increased by 20% for each additional orphan. The total pension amount depends on the number of eligible orphans. If there is more than one eligible orphan, the pension is split equally.</p>
<p>All survivor benefits combined must not exceed 100% of the pension that the deceased received or was entitled to receive based on a total loss of working capacity at the date of death.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> A lump sum of 30% of the base amount is paid to the <span class="nobr">widow(er).</span></p>
<p>The base amount is 44,400&nbsp;kronor.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in wages.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Swedish Social Insurance Agency (<a href="https://www.forsakringskassan.se">http://www.forsakringskassan.se</a>) provides central administration and supervision.</p>
<p>Regional and local social insurance offices administer the program.</p>
<h2>Unemployment</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1934.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1997, implemented in 1998.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social assistance and voluntary income-related insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Basic program:</span> Employed persons and persons seeking employment.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Voluntary income-related program:</span> Employed and self-employed persons who are members of an unemployment insurance fund. Membership is open to employees in a specific occupation or industry.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None for the basic program; a membership fee for the voluntary program.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> 0.37% of earnings; a membership fee for the voluntary program.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 2.91% of payroll.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> Subsidizes the basic program; none for the voluntary program.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Unemployment benefits (basic and voluntary):</span> Aged&nbsp;20 to 65 and ineligible for the income-related insurance (voluntary program). Unemployed and registered as a job seeker at the public employment service; able and willing to accept a suitable job for at least three hours a day and an average of at least 17&nbsp;hours a week.</p>
<p>The insured must have been employed for at least six months (at least 80&nbsp;hours a month) or for at least 480&nbsp;hours during a consecutive six-month period (at least 50&nbsp;hours a month) in the last 12&nbsp;months before unemployment. To receive the voluntary income-related benefit, the insured must have been a member of an unemployment fund for at least 12&nbsp;months.</p>
<p>Unemployment benefits are suspended for one, five, or 10&nbsp;benefit days for not job seeking seriously; five, 10, or 45&nbsp;benefit days for extending a period of unemployment; 20 or 45&nbsp;benefit days if unemployment is due to voluntarily leaving or misconduct. The benefit may be terminated for repeated offences.</p>
<h3>Unemployment Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Basic unemployment benefit:</span> 365&nbsp;kronor a day is paid if the insured was working 40&nbsp;hours a week before unemployment; the benefit is reduced in proportion to the number of hours less than 40&nbsp;hours. The benefit is paid after a seven-day waiting period for up to 300&nbsp;days for each benefit period. If the insured has at least one child younger than age&nbsp;18, the benefit may be paid for an additional 150&nbsp;days. The benefit is paid for five days a week.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: The government adjusts benefits on an ad&nbsp;hoc basis.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Voluntary income-related benefit:</span> 80% of the insured's previous income is paid after a seven-day waiting period for the first 200&nbsp;days; 70% for the next 100&nbsp;days. If the insured has at least one child younger than age&nbsp;18, the benefit may be paid for an additional 150&nbsp;days. The benefit is paid for five days a week.</p>
<p>The maximum benefit is 910&nbsp;kronor a day for the first 100&nbsp;days; subsequently, 760&nbsp;kronor a day.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: The government adjusts benefits on an ad&nbsp;hoc basis.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Swedish Unemployment Insurance Board (<a href="http://www.iaf.se">http://www.iaf.se</a>) supervises 28 unemployment insurance funds.</p>
<h2>Family Allowances</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First laws:</span> 1947 (child allowance) and 1964 (maintenance advance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 1947 (child allowance), 1993 (housing allowance), and 1996 (maintenance support).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Universal system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Child allowance:</span> Residents of Sweden with one or more eligible children.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maintenance support:</span> Children living permanently with one parent.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> The total cost. (The cost of maintenance support is partly covered by repayments made by parents liable for maintenance.)</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Child allowance:</span> Paid to the end of the quarter in which the child reaches age&nbsp;16 or until the child finishes primary education (no age limit for children with learning difficulties who are attending a special school).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maintenance support:</span> The child must be younger than age&nbsp;18 (until June of the year in which the student reaches age&nbsp;20), live permanently with only one of the parents, and the parent liable for child support does not pay any support or pays less than the maintenance support amount (1,573&nbsp;kronor a month for each child). If the child alternates between residences, special maintenance support may be paid to compensate for different standards of living.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Housing allowance:</span> Paid to low-income households (families and young childless persons over age&nbsp;18 and under age&nbsp;29) to subsidize housing costs.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Child care allowance:</span> Paid to a parent for the care of a sick or disabled child who needs special care or supervision or to compensate for additional expenses incurred from the child's illness or disability.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Adoption allowance:</span> Paid for the adoption of a foreign citizen and non-resident of Sweden under the age of 10. The adoption must take place through an authorized adoption agency.</p>
<h3>Family Allowance Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Child allowance:</span> 1,050&nbsp;kronor a month is paid for each child.</p>
<p>Supplements are paid to families with two or more children (150&nbsp;kronor for the second child, 604&nbsp;kronor for the third child, 1,614&nbsp;kronor for the fourth child, 2,864&nbsp;kronor for the fifth child, and 4,144&nbsp;kronor for the sixth and subsequent children).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maintenance support:</span> 1,573&nbsp;kronor a month is paid for each child. If the child has income above 48,000&nbsp;kronor a year, the maintenance support is reduced by half the amount that exceeds 48,000&nbsp;kronor. <span class="nobr">Top-up</span> maintenance support is paid when the parent liable for child support pays less than 1,573&nbsp;kronor a month.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Housing allowance:</span> Paid according to the household's composition, income, and housing arrangement.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Child care allowance:</span> 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of the childcare allowance is paid. An additional supplement of up to 2,547&nbsp;kronor a month may be paid.</p>
<p>The full child care allowance is 9,229&nbsp;kronor a month for each child.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Adoption allowance:</span> A lump sum of 40,000&nbsp;kronor is paid.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: The government adjusts benefits on an ad&nbsp;hoc basis.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Swedish Social Insurance Agency (<a href="https://www.forsakringskassan.se">http://www.forsakringskassan.se</a>) provides central administration and supervision.</p>
<p>Regional and local social insurance offices administer the program.</p>
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