10.20.1.30 Social Security System in Norway

Norway's social security system

The main social insurance schemes in Norway are:

• the National Insurance Scheme, and
• the Family Allowance Scheme and Scheme for Cash Benefits for Families and Small Children.

Employees and self-employed people contribute to the National Insurance Scheme based on their income. The National Insurance Scheme covers a range of benefits including old-age pensions, disability pension, survivor's pension, rehabilitation benefits, occupational injury benefits, benefits payable to single parents and cash benefits in the case of sickness and unemployment.

Old-age pension

This pension is paid to people who have reached retirement age. It consists of a basic pension, a supplementary pension and supplements for spouse and children.

Supplementary pension

The supplementary pension scheme was introduced in 1967. To receive a maximum supplementary pension a person needs 40 pension-earning years. People with less than this are paid a proportion of the supplementary pension.

Special supplementary pension

The special supplementary pension is paid to people who have no, or a very small, supplementary pension.

Disability benefits

Disability benefits are paid to insured people who have a work capacity that is permanently reduced by 50% due to illness, injury or defect. Minimum contribution periods apply.

Survivor pension

A survivor pension is paid to a surviving spouse who is under 67. Minimum contribution periods apply. A full survivor's pension is made up of a basic pension plus a percentage of supplementary pension. The survivor's pension is income tested.

Children under 18 can receive a survivor's pension if one or both parents are deceased. Minimum contribution periods apply.

Rehabilitation benefits

Rehabilitation benefits are payable to people who are undergoing active retraining with a view to improving their work ability.