Sweden - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Sweden and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Sweden and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Sweden or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Sweden came into force on January 1, 1986.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Swedish pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Sweden, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Swedish old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Swedish survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Swedish benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country's pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Sweden will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Sweden's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.
If you do not qualify for a CPP benefit based on your contributions to it, Canada will consider your periods credited under the Supplementary Pensions Scheme of Sweden as periods of contribution to the CPP.
If you do not qualify for an OAS pension based on your years of residence in Canada, Canada will consider periods during which you resided in Sweden after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada's international social security agreements cover OAS and CPP benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
Swedish benefits
The Swedish pension program consists of the Basic Pensions Scheme and the Supplementary Pensions Scheme. The Basic Pensions Scheme provides flat-rate benefits based on residence in Sweden. The Supplementary Pensions Scheme, on the other hand, is based on income from employment and self-employment.
To qualify for a benefit under the pension program, you normally must have resided in Sweden or contributed to the Supplementary Pensions Scheme for a minimum number of years.
If you do not have sufficient periods under the Swedish Basic Pensions Scheme to qualify for a Swedish old age pension, under the Agreement Sweden will consider periods of contribution to the CPP or periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 as credited periods in Sweden. To determine eligibility to disability and survivor pensions under this scheme, Sweden will consider periods of contribution to the CPP as periods credited under the Swedish Basic Pensions Scheme.
If you have not contributed to the Supplementary Pensions Scheme of Sweden for the minimum period, under the Agreement Sweden will consider periods of contribution to the CPP as periods of contribution to the Swedish Supplementary Pensions Scheme.
If you are a Canadian citizen, under the Agreement you can receive a Swedish benefit while residing in Canada.
Apply
Print and complete 1 of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Swedish benefits:
- Sweden/Canada Agreement - Application for a Swedish old age pension (PM 8345)
- Sweden/Canada Agreement - Application for a Swedish disability benefit (FK 5077)
- Sweden/Canada Agreement - Application for a Swedish survivor’s pension (PM 8514/PM 8513)
- Sweden/Canada Agreement - Application for a Swedish child’s pension (PM 8512)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
If you live in Sweden
If you live in Sweden and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Sweden/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivors Benefits (ISP5054-SWE)
- Sweden/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-SWE)
- Sweden/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-SWE)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Sweden, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
Sweden's social security
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Agreement on Social Security between the Government of Canada and the Government of Sweden and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.
Related links
- Agreement on Social Security between the Government of Canada and the Government of Sweden
- General overview of Sweden's social security system
- Information on programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Page details
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