English

Who can get benefits as the surviving spouse?

You are entitled to survivor’s pension if you

• have been married or a registered partner of the deceased for at least five years, or
• were living together with the deceased at the time of death and have, or are expecting a child by the deceased, or
• were caring for the deceased’s child/children at the time of death, or
• were previously married to the deceased cohabiter and have, or are expecting a child by the deceased

In certain circumstances, survivor’s pension may be granted if you were divorced from the deceased.

The deceased must have been a member of the National Insurance Scheme for the last three years before death.  The survivor must be a member of the National Insurance Scheme.

Survivors who do not meet the conditions for receiving a pension may be entitled to transitional benefit.

How long can you get survivor’s pension for?

The pension will cease if you marry again or have children with a new cohabiter.

Survivor’s pension also ceases if you take out a contractual pension (AFP). The pension will be converted to disability pension if you are entitled to disability pension and to retirement pension at the age of 67.

How do you apply?

If you would like an application form to apply for survivor’s pension, you can get in touch with NAV Local Services or use the application form NAV 17-01.05.  The form contains information and guidance.  It is important that you read this before completing the form.  If you would like help to complete it, you can contact NAV Local Services.

The application form contains information about documentary evidence that you need to include in the application.

You should send the completed application form to NAV Pensjon, Postboks 6600 Etterstad, 0607 Oslo.

What pension, or alternatively transitional benefit, can you get as a survivor?

Pension and transitional benefit are made up of basic pension, supplementary pension, and/or special supplement.

You will get full basic pension if the deceased lived in Norway for 40 years. Full basic pension is normally equivalent to the basic amount (G).

Supplementary pension is calculated on the spouse’s previous employment income and how many years he/she received employment income. Supplementary pension amounts to 55% of the supplementary pension the deceased would have received if he/she had entitlement to disability pension or retirement pension at the time of death.

Read more about the regulations governing the calculation of pension under related information.

Work and pension

The pension will be reduced if you have or can be expected to have your own employment income. If your employment income is higher than half the basic amount, 40% of the excess will be deducted from the pension. If you are under the age of 55, it will be assumed as a starting point that you have employment income of at least twice the basic amount. The first year after the death is considered a period of transition. There will be no requirement for you to have your own income. The pension will however, be reduced if you have actual income.

It is important that you notify NAV Local Services of changes to your income.

If the deceased had earnings in a country with which Norway has a national insurance agreement, you may be entitled to pension from that country as well.

Read about other schemes that may be relevant under related information.

Many employees are in a service pension scheme. A number of these schemes provide a survivor’s pension often with slightly different terms and conditions to those of the National Insurance Act. For further information, you should approach the deceased’s last employer if the deceased was working up to his/her death.

You will find links below to some public schemes that may be relevant:

Statens Pensjonskasse (Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund)

KLP Forsikring

When you move abroad

First you must check whether you will retain membership of the National Insurance Scheme.

Read more about benefits when living abroad under related information.

For persons coming to Norway

First you must check whether you will become a member of the National Insurance Scheme.

Survivor’s pension can only be granted if the deceased was a member of the National Insurance Scheme, and in addition, if you meet the requirements for receiving benefit.

Most of the main information about your entitlements and duties is available here in English. There are also links to other more detailed information; however, some of this information is only available in Norwegian.

Report changes

Changes in your income, family situation and/or work situation may affect the payment you receive from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration. Stays abroad may also affect your payment.  You must therefore immediately report any such changes to your local NAV office.