U.S. and Sweden: Social Security Agreement

What it covers

In force: Jan 1, 1987

For Sweden, the agreement covers sickness compensation, activity compensation, guaranteed pension, income-based old-age pensions, survivors pensions and surviving children's allowance. It does not cover health insurance, unemployment insurance, work accident or occupational illness insurance, or family allowance benefits.

How the U.S. counts Sweden credits

Applies to every U.S. agreement.

• SSA says that to have your Sweden credits counted for a U.S. benefit you must have at least 6 U.S. credits (generally one and one-half years of work).
• If you already have enough U.S. credits for a benefit, the U.S. cannot count the foreign credits.
• If you are short, you may qualify for a partial U.S. benefit based on both countries' credits.
• In 2026, one U.S. credit takes $1,890 of covered earnings, up to 4 credits a year (SSA's pamphlet prints an older 2022 amount).

Sweden's side

Sweden has a new pension system for people born in 1938 or later; SSA's pamphlet's table explains only the old system (a basic pension based on residence plus an earnings-related supplementary pension called ATP). Under the agreement, U.S. nationals residing outside Sweden can receive the basic pension on the same basis as Swedish nationals, and U.S. credits can be counted to help meet the three-year ATP coverage requirement. To be eligible for an ATP pension you generally need three years of ATP credits; if you have at least one year of ATP credits but not three, U.S. credits may be counted to help you qualify.

Ages, payments and forms

• SSA's pamphlet says people born in 1937 or earlier receive benefits only under the old system, people born 1938 to 1953 receive part under each system, and people born 1954 or later receive benefits only under the new system. Because the pamphlet's table covers only the old system, check with the Swedish Pensions Agency for rules that apply to you.
• Swedish benefits are generally paid between the 12th and 17th of each month, covering that month. The U.S. pays monthly. Each country pays its own benefit.
• SSA's pamphlet says to complete form SSA-2490-BK (Application for Benefits Under a U.S. International Social Security Agreement) and mail it to your local Social Security office.

Where to start

• You can apply in one country and ask that it count as a claim in the other. Each country processes the claim under its own laws, counts credits from the other country when appropriate, and tells you its decision.
• In the United States: visit or write any U.S. Social Security office, or call 1-800-772-1213 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m., business days; TTY 1-800-325-0778).
• If you live in Sweden: contact any Swedish social security office, or the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway (per SSA's pamphlet).

What this page cannot tell you

• Whether your own record will qualify. Only SSA and the other country can decide that.
• Current ages and amounts. SSA's pamphlets show a 2022 credit amount and some older age tables, so confirm numbers with SSA or the other country.
• Anything not stated on SSA's page for this country.