Swedish a-kassa - financial security if you become unemployed

Fill in the application form to become a member of Akademikernas a-kassa. The form can be downloaded from akademikernasakassa.se (In Swedish).

Yes, in order to be covered by Engineers of Sweden income insurance, you must be a member of the Akademikernas a-kassa unemployment insurance fund. This can give you both basic financial protection through compensation from the unemployment insurance fund and additional security through compensation from the income insurance in the event of involuntary unemployment.

Akademikernas a-kassa will help you to switch a-kassa and contact your previous a-kassa to transfer your membership period. All you need to do is fill in the application form to change a-kassa.

Switch a-kassa at Akademikernas a-kassa 

You may only be a member of one unemployment insurance fund at a time. If you change your current a-kassa fund you may count your previous membership period as long as there is no gap between the two periods. 

How to avoid a gap in membership: 

1. Apply for membership in Engineers of Sweden and, if you need to change unemployment insurance fund at the same time, also apply to join Akademikernas a-kassa. Akademikernas a-kassa will help you transfer from your current fund if you complete their form entitled 'Application for change of fund.' You can find all necessary information at Akademikernas a-kassa (in Swedish)
2. Request exit from your current union.
3. Notify us of your exit date from your current union. You will pay no membership fees during the transfer period i.e. the time it takes for you to conclude membership of your previous union.

If you are unsure of whether you fulfil the conditions for becoming a member of Engineers of Sweden, delay leaving your current union and unemployment insurance fund. Please apply for membership with us but note in your exit application that you are waiting for notification from us about your new membership. 
For members of Engineers of Sweden who are also members of Akademikernas a-kassa, income insurance is included in membership fees. 
 
If you already have income insurance with another union, your membership period there can generally be counted in the qualification period for our income insurance. As there are exceptions, we recommend that you contact Akademikernas inkomstförsäkring at Folksam at 0771-950 950 to confirm the specifics of your situation. 

Engineers of Sweden pays the fees to Akademikernas a-kassa in advance. No member will be de-registered without first being issued with a reminder concerning unpaid fees. If you are uncertain whether you have paid your membership fee, please contact our membership service on 08-613 80 00. 

The fees paid to Akademikernas a-kassa are unchanged even if you are a jobseeker, however your union fees may be reduced. Read the conditions and apply for reduced fees. 

You are granted an automatic exit from the unemployment insurance fund from the month of your 67th birthday. If you wish to leave before your 67th birthday, you must notify the union in writing via contact form or e-mail. Don’t forget to include your personal registration number or your membership number. 
 
If you are retiring, please contact us to start up a pensioner’s membership (SEK 480 per year). 

The unemployment insurance fund determines your average income, and it is their calculation of your income that determines the level of compensation you can receive from Engineers of Sweden income insurance. For specific questions about your income and calculating your compensation, we recommend that you contact Akademikernas a-kassa at 08-412 33 00.

Akademikernas a-kassa pays compensation for up to 300 days. The Engineers of Sweden income insurance adds extra compensation on top of the a-kassa for 150 days.

You can buy an additional 150 days with supplementary insurance, in Swedish called Frivilligt tillägg, through our insurance partner Folksam. This means up to 300 days of income insurance in total. The qualifying period for supplementary insurance is 12 months. 

If you have questions about the supplementary insurance, please contact Folksam. You can call 0771-950 950, or use Folksam's customer service.

Buy supplementary insurance (Frivilligt tillägg) at Folksam

If you have questions about how the new rules apply to you, please contact Akademikernas a-kassa at 08-412 33 00.

If you have questions about the terms and conditions of the Engineers of Sweden income insurance, please contact our insurance partner Folksam.
For quick and personalised assistance, you can call 0771-950 950, or use Folksam's customer service.

In Sweden, unemployment support has two parts: a-kassa and income insurance. Together, they can provide up to 80 percent of your income, depending on your salary and membership.

A-kassa is the government-regulated unemployment insurance. It provides basic compensation of up to SEK 27,200 per month if you become unemployed.

The Engineers of Sweden income insurance, provided through trade union membership, can add extra compensation if your salary is higher than the a-kassa limit, up to SEK 100,000 per month, if you become involuntarily unemployed.

This helps you focus on the next step in your career without worrying about your financial situation.

If you become unemployed – support, benefits and next steps

No, you do not have to be a union member, you can be a member of Akademikernas a-kassa only. However, if you wish to be covered by our income insurance, you must be a union member.   
 
Direct application for membership can be made at the Akademikernas a-kassa website.

No, you can choose not to join a Swedish a-kassa and still be a member of Engineers of Sweden. However, you will not be covered by our income insurance, which is available only to members receiving benefits from Akademikernas a-kassa.

If you are not a member of Akademikernas a-kassa (or any other a-kassa), you will only be entitled to the basic benefit if you become unemployed. For more information, visit the website of Akademikernas a-kassa.