Sjukförsäkring

Sjukförsäkring is a part of the Swedish social insurance system that provides income protection for people who cannot work due to illness or injury. The aim is to safeguard individuals’ livelihoods while supporting recovery and a return to work. The administration and policy are handled by Försäkringskassan, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

The system combines two main elements. First, employers typically pay sjuklön (sick pay) during the initial period of illness. After this initial period, income replacement is provided through sjukpenning (sickness benefit) paid by Försäkringskassan. The benefit is related to the insured person’s previous earnings within defined limits and follows rules about eligibility, duration, and amount. The process often involves medical documentation and periodic assessments.

Eligibility depends on having worked and contributed to the social insurance system, and on medical certification confirming reduced work capacity. The calculation uses a sickness benefit base grounded in the individual’s earned income, and benefits may be coordinated with other support measures, such as rehabilitation programs, to facilitate a return to work.

Financing for sjukförsäkring comes mainly from payroll taxes and general government funds. The framework also interacts with related programs, including disability benefits and vocational rehabilitation, to provide pathways for long-term security and participation in the labor market. Overall, sjukförsäkring aims to balance income protection with incentives and support for rehabilitation and work resumption.