The difference in the income-based public pension between men and women in Sweden was 22 per cent in 2022, according to the Swedish Pensions Agency (SPA).

In light of this, the SPA has produced a new report to examine how different measures can help bridge the gender pension gap.

“In the debate about equal pensions, there is often a lack of discussion and analysis of measures that can be taken,” said SPA analyst, Kristin Kirs.

“We want to give a picture of the effects different measures would have.

“We want our report to be used as a basis in the debate and as a basis for the politicians if they want to investigate what could reduce the pension gap.”

Examples of measures looked at in the report were survivors’ protection for income pensions, the possibility of sharing income pension rights, letting cohabitants with children transfer premium pension rights and reviewing the fee when transferring premium pensions.

“If the legislator wants to act to get more equal pensions, the SPA considers that a voluntary survivor's protection for income pension is the most appropriate measure to investigate further,” Kirs stated.

“The financial standard often falls if an income disappears in a couple's household and survivor protection could mitigate the loss of income.

“Today, it is only possible to choose survivor protection for the premium pension.”

The SPA also emphasised that the problem with unequal pensions is based in unequal incomes between men and women during the years at work.

As the pension system is designed based on the lifetime income principle, this has a knock-on effect on pension income in retirement.

“It is important to remember that changes in the pension system that increase women's pensions can lead to women working less, and for example moving from full-time to part-time,” Kirs added.

“The proposals that the SPA highlights as suitable for investigation, we judge to have a limited impact on the driving force for work and the labour supply.”

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