The Swedish Pensions Authority (SPA) has launched a portal report in build up to a series of reports on Sweden’s pension system, which aim to contribute to structured political discussions and well-thought-out decisions on pension policy.

Its first report, Pathway selection issues for the pension system, is an introductory report for an upcoming series of reports on how the pension system could change and what consequences different alternatives would have for individuals and society.

SPA head of analysis, Ole Settergren, stated that its assessment was that the introduction of the income pension supplement and the increase in the guaranteed pension had undermined the pension system’s basic lifelong income principle.

“Through the report series, we want to contribute to ensuring that future pension decisions are well thought out,” he continued.

“We are making the investment against the background of the recent debate and decisions about pensions. Both the debate itself and the actual political decisions show that the principles on which today's pension system rests are not always fully accepted or perceived as reasonable.”

The first report highlights simplifications in the basic protection to varying degrees - from minor to radical.

Within this, the SPA described three requirements that a ‘clear and long-term’ pension system should meet.

The first related to clear goals, for example for the balance between a sufficiently high basic protection and a sufficient distance of respect.

The second concerned clear principles on what should determine the size of the pension, while the third related to financial stability and fairness between generations.

The same test of simplifications is reported in two subsequent reports, while the fourth and final report outlines possible path choices for a new pension system and analyses the consequences of the various path choices.

The first report will primarily look at alternatives for simpler basic protection and is expected in December, the second will assess measures for equal and income-equal pensions and will be published in February, its third report will look at increased pensions within the framework of the current system and will come out in early March, and the final will look at the possibility of a new pension system and will be launched in late March.

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