Compensation based on income
The unemployment fund compensates part of the income loss you experience if you become unemployed. The amount of money you receive depends on how much of your previous income you have lost. The maximum possible amount is SEK 27,200 before tax.
The compensation level is the percentage the unemployment fund uses to calculate the income loss if you become unemployed. It is determined by how many months of continuous membership you have had during the qualification period.
The qualification period
The qualification period begins the month before you register with Arbetsförmedlingen and apply for unemployment compensation. It extends a total of 12 months back in time. If there are months during that period where you earned less than SEK 11,000 and were unable to work due to, for example, illness, care of a sick child or full-time studies, the qualification period can be extended.
Who receives 80 percent?
If you have been a member of the unemployment fund for 12 months or more during the qualification period, the compensation period starts at 80 percent of the compensation-based income. After 100 days, it is reduced by 10 percentage points, and thereafter it is reduced by 5 percentage points every 100 days.
Who receives 60 percent?
Anyone who has been a member of the unemployment fund for 6–11 months during the qualification period starts their compensation period at 60 percent of the compensation-based income. After 100 days, it is reduced by 10 percentage points, and thereafter it is reduced by 5 percentage points every 100 days.
Who receives 50 percent?
Anyone who has been a member of the unemployment fund for 5 months or less during the qualification period starts their compensation period at 50 percent of the compensation-based income. After 100 days, it is reduced by 10 percentage points, and thereafter it is reduced by 5 percentage points every 100 days. If you missed joining the unemployment fund before becoming unemployed, you can do so when you become unemployed. That way, you can receive compensation directly from the fund you prefer to be part of.
Compensation-based income
The basis for compensation is the work income you have had during the qualification period and with which you meet the two-part income requirement.
More about the income requirement
Main rule The income requirement is met if you have had certain gross incomes during the qualification period. You must have earned at least SEK 11,000 in 4 of the months and had a total income of at least SEK 120,000.
Alternative rule If you do not meet the income requirement through the main rule, the alternative rule is applied. This also requires at least 4 months with an income of at least SEK 11,000 per month during the qualification period. However, these four months must be consecutive.
In the monthly amount of SEK 11,000, salary and taxable salary supplements are included, such as compensation for inconvenient working hours, company car, and lunch benefits. And in the total amount of SEK 120,000, certain social insurance benefits may also be counted, such as parental allowance, compensation for care of a sick child, and sickness benefit.
The compensation-based income is always calculated based on all 12 months of the qualification period, even if you have not had income in every month.
Income insurance through the union
Compensation from the union's income insurance is based on our decision regarding compensation, but we at the unemployment fund neither decide on nor pay out the income insurance. How much you receive from the income insurance and how to apply varies between different unions. If you have resigned yourself and been suspended from compensation, the income insurance usually does not apply.
Compensation is reduced for everyone
After 100 compensation days, the compensation is reduced by 10 percentage points. Thereafter, it is reduced by 5 percentage points every 100 days. This applies to everyone receiving compensation. In the example, we indicate the maximum amount you can receive at each level.
Membership time | Day 1-100 | Day 101-200 | Day 201-300 |
12 months | 80 % | 70 % | 65 % |
6-11 months | 60 % | 50 % | 45 % |
1-5 months | 50 % | 40 % | 35 % |
Increase of compensation-based income
The compensation-based income determined by the unemployment fund applies throughout the entire compensation period and cannot be increased even if you work with a higher salary. However, each year we adjust members’ average incomes with a standard rate so that unemployed individuals also follow wage development. This is done automatically in December for everyone receiving compensation.