Sweden: Organisation

The Swedish social security system, except for unemployment insurance, comes under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The basic parts of the insurance cover sickness insurance, parental insurance, basic and supplementary pension, disability pension, part-time pension and work injury insurance.

Everyone over the age of 16 resident in Sweden - irrespective of nationality - is registered with the insurance scheme.

The National Social Insurance Board, which is a State body, is responsible for managing and supervising social security centrally. On the regional and local level there are 25 regional social insurance offices with about 320 local insurance offices together.

Social insurance in Sweden is financed mainly by contributions from the employer, but the basic pension scheme is to a great extent financed by tax revenue over the State budget. In the last year contributions payable by the insured persons themselves have been introduced. So far they cover a minor part of the insurance costs.

Health care is a responsibility for the county councils in Sweden with a taxation right of their own.

The unemployment insurance comes under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour. It consists of two parts: a basic allowance and optional income-related benefit. The basic allowance covers persons over 20 years of age who are not optionally insured. Both parts are mainly financed by contributions from the employer. The optional income-related benefit is voluntary but members of different trade unions collectively join the insurance.

Social assistance which is not considered a part of social insurance in Sweden, comes under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. It is supervised by the National Board of Health and Welfare. The local administration of social assistance, including care and service for children and families, care for elderly and handicapped, is a responsibility for the municipalities. It is financed mainly through local taxation.

Arbetsmarknadsdepartementet
S-10333 Stockholm

Socialdepartementet
S-10333 Stockholm 

Riksförsäkringsverket
S-10351 Stockholm 

Arbetsmarknadsstyrelsen
S-17199 Solna 

Socialstyrelsen
S-10630 Stockholm