EFTERLEVANDEGUIDEN - a collaboration between public authorities intended to make it easier for those who have lost a loved one

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Finances

When the family’s income disappears but most of the expenses remain, financial compensation may be available through insurance policies, the Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten) or the deceased’s employer.

If you are entitled to financial compensation

The survivor’s pension is intended to compensate for some of the household’s lost income when a wife, husband, registered partner or parent dies. Public authorities, municipalities and insurance companies are automatically informed of deaths.

If you are entitled to a survivor’s pension or financial compensation, or if your current pension will be affected in any way, you will receive a letter. This letter will inform you of how much money you will receive each month and for how long payments will continue. In some cases you will need to make contact yourself.

About life insurance, konsumenternas.se (in Swedish) External link.

When the deceased’s benefits and pension cease

If the deceased was receiving any benefits, allowances or pension from The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) or the Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten), these payments will stop automatically.
If you, as the deceased’s closest relative, are a pensioner, your own pension may be affected. If you receive housing supplement, this will also change.

At the web site of The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) you can find more about compensation you are entitled to if you have lost a close relative or someone you have children with.

For those who have lost a close relative, försäkringskassan.se (in Swedish) External link.

Survivor’s pension from the Swedish Pensions Agency External link.

FAQs about housing supplement for pensioners (in Swedish) External link.

You may be entitled to compensation if the deceased

  • had a collective or occupational pension via their employer, in which case you may be entitled to a survivor’s pension from the insurance company.
  • had survivor’s protection for their spouse or cohabiting partner for their premium pension.
  • had a private pension insurance policy in which you are named as the beneficiary, in which case you may be entitled to financial support from the insurance company.
  • has lived or worked abroad, in which case you may be entitled to a survivor’s pension from that country.
  • died as a result of an occupational injury, in which case survivors may be entitled to an annuity and the estate to a funeral allowance from the Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten).

Payments from insurance companies

The deceased’s insurers are obliged to notify the estate of any insurance policies they had with the company. Old policies with companies that have ceased trading may have been replaced by policies with another insurance company. There is no central register of individual insurance policies. You can find out for yourself whether the deceased had any insurance policies.

Insurance in estates at konsumenternas.se (in Swedish) External link.

Compensation via the employer

Most people who have worked have some form of collective insurance via their employer that provides for compensation in the event of death. What type of compensation that may be available depends on which collective agreements the employer has entered into. Most employers have an insurance policy known as TGL, a group life insurance. Contact the deceased’s employer and trade union to find out what applies in your case.

About life insurance, konsumenternas.se (in Swedish) External link.

About protection for survivors at pensionsmyndigheten.se (in Swedish) External link.

Survivor’s pensions from other countries

If the deceased has lived or worked abroad, you may be entitled to a survivor’s pension from that country. Contact the Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten) to find out what applies in your case.

Contact details for the Swedish Pensions Agency (in Swedish) External link.

Housing supplement for pensioners

As a surviving pensioner, you may be entitled to housing supplement or income support for the elderly from the Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten). Income, assets and housing costs all affect how much housing supplement you are entitled to.

The maximum amount is SEK 7,290 per month.

Housing supplement is automatically recalculated when a cohabitant dies. You will need to report changes such as when you inherit money or receive a lump-sum payment from a life insurance policy.

Calculate your entitlement to housing supplement at pensionsmyndigheten.se (in Swedish) External link.

FAQs about housing supplement at pensionsmyndigheten.se (in Swedish) External link.

Notify changes to the Swedish Pensions Agency (in Swedish) External link.

Undersöka om det finns försäkringar

    1. Look for any insurance policies among their papers.
    2. Check their bank statements for payments to insurance companies
    3. Contact the deceased’s employer and trade union
    4. Contact the major insurance companies.
    5. Find out whether there are any insurance policies with survivors’ compensation
    6. Contact Trygg Hansa or SEB TryggLiv if you find any policies taken out with a company that has ceased trading.

    Life insurance and beneficiaries

    Any life insurance policy without a specified beneficiary is paid out to the estate. This money is then divided if there are multiple heirs.

    About life insurance, konsumenternas.se (in Swedish) External link.

    Are their any life insurance policies?

    Most people who have worked have some form of collective insurance via their employer that provides for compensation in the event of death.

    Visit konsumenternas.se to learn more about group life insurance and other insurance policies (in Swedish) External link.

    Ask others to help you

    Do not hesitate to ask for help with what feels difficult and to receive help if you are offered.

    Last updated: 2022-08-23