TN 3 (02-03)
Sweden has a new pension system that covers people born in 1938 or later. People born in 1937 or earlier will continue to receive their benefits only under the old system. People born between 1938 and 1953 will receive part of their benefits under the old system and part under the new system. People born in 1954 or later will receive benefits exclusively under the new system.
Benefits under the old Swedish system consist of two separate components:
The basic pension is a flat-rate benefit payable to Swedish residents when they reach retirement age or become disabled and to certain survivors of Swedish residents. It is also payable to Swedish nationals outside Sweden under certain conditions.
The supplementary, or “ATP,” pension is a benefit based on the level of earnings and the length of covered work without regard to residence or nationality.
Sweden’s new pension system replaces the basic and ATP pensions with a pension that includes a component related to a person’s prior earned and unearned income and another component based on individual investment accounts. The Totalization agreement with Sweden currently refers only to the basic and ATP pensions under the old system, although it is expected that the agreement will be renegotiated to take account of the new system.
The eligibility requirements for retirement and disability benefits under the old Swedish system are shown below. Information about the new Swedish system is available from the National Social Insurance Board at the address shown in GN 01717.020E.
The eligibility requirements for the Swedish basic retirement pension are as follows:
At least age 65 for a full pension, or age 60 for a reduced pension.
Must be Swedish resident and have either 3 years of ATP coverage or 3 years residence in Sweden.
Payable outside Sweden only to Swedish nationals with at least 3 years of ATP coverage.
NOTE: Residents of the United States may qualify under the agreement (see GN 01717.125A.2.).
An ATP retirement pension is payable only to a worker who:
Is at least age 65, or age 60 for a reduced pension.
Has at least 3 years of ATP coverage.
The eligibility requirements for the Swedish basic disability pension are as follows:
Age 16 to 65.
At least 25 percent disabled.
An ATP disability pension is payable only to a worker who:
Is age 16 to 65.
Is at least 25 percent disabled.
Has at least 3 years of ATP coverage before the year of disability onset.
The benefit eligibility requirements for dependents of retired or disabled workers under the old Swedish system are shown below. Information about the new Swedish system is available from the National Social Insurance Board at the address shown in GN 01717.020E.
There is no provision for a separate wife’s benefit. However, a means-tested supplement may be added to the retired or disabled worker’s pension for a wife who is at least age 60.
NOTE: Certain residence requirements may apply.
There is no provision for a husband’s benefit.
There is no provision for a divorced spouse’s benefit.
There is no provision for children’s benefits.
There are no separate benefits for spouses, divorced spouses or children of retired or disabled workers.
The eligibility requirements for survivors’ benefits under the old Swedish system are shown below. Information about the new Swedish system is available from the National Social Insurance Board at the address shown in GN 01717.020E.
Two types of benefits are payable if the worker died 1/1/1990 or later.
A readjustment grant is payable for 1 year if the widow(er) was:
Under age 65.
Permanently living with the worker at the time of death.
Married to the worker or had a child with the worker (or was expecting a child of the worker).
A special survivor pension may be paid after 1 year if the widow(er) has custody of and is living with a child under age 12 or is unable to support herself or himself.
NOTE: Different eligibility rules apply if the worker died before 1/1/1990 or a widow was born in 1944 or earlier.
There is no provision for divorced widow(er)’s benefits.
The eligibility requirements for children to receive Swedish survivors’ benefits are as follows:
Under age 18, or age 20 if a student.
Certain residence requirements may apply.
Deceased parent had at least 3 years of ATP coverage.
No nationality or residence requirements.
Advise individuals that SSA cannot give official information about Swedish benefits. Refer individuals who want official information about the old or new Swedish systems to the following address: