Security since 1969
Over 50 years in the service of the a-kassa
We’ve made working life more secure for 56 years
Akademikernas a-kassa was founded in 1969 and began operations in 1970. Since then, the number of university graduates who want to be insured has increased every year, and today we are Sweden’s largest a-kassa with more than 790,000 members.
Since the beginning, the insurance and the a-kassor have gone through many changes. But the purpose has always remained the same – to offer people a basic level of financial security during unemployment.
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Akademikernas a-kassa 50 years – selected highlights
Akademikernas a-kassa has a rich and eventful history. Below, we’ve picked out a few fun, important, and interesting moments from it.
1935
The first state-supported unemployment insurance came into effect.
1969
On 7 May 1969, the Swedish National Labour Market Board granted permission to register Akademikernas a-kassa (formally Akademikernas erkända arbetslöshetskassa) as an unemployment insurance fund.
1970
This year, Akademikernas a-kassa began operations as a joint a-kassa for Saco’s unions, 35 years after the first state-supported unemployment insurance came into effect.
1973
The Swedish Parliament passed a law on unemployment insurance, replacing the 1934 unemployment insurance regulation.
1935
The first state-supported unemployment insurance came into effect.
1969
On 7 May 1969, the Swedish National Labour Market Board granted permission to register Akademikernas a-kassa (formally Akademikernas erkända arbetslöshetskassa) as an unemployment insurance fund.
1970
This year, Akademikernas a-kassa began operations as a joint a-kassa for Saco’s unions, 35 years after the first state-supported unemployment insurance came into effect.
1973
The Swedish Parliament passed a law on unemployment insurance, replacing the 1934 unemployment insurance regulation.
1981
The fee was lowered to 42 kronor per year.
1983
The fee was raised to 150 kronor per year.
1984
Akademikernas a-kassa had 14 employees and 200,000 members.
1989
Waiting days were removed.
1981
The fee was lowered to 42 kronor per year.
1983
The fee was raised to 150 kronor per year.
1984
Akademikernas a-kassa had 14 employees and 200,000 members.
1989
Waiting days were removed.
1995
The general administrative courts became the appellate authority for unemployment cases, and the a-kassor took on the role of litigating party.
1996
The benifit level was lowered to 75 percent. Stricter sanctions for fraud were introduced. The number of suspension days for those who resigned increased from 20 to 45.
1997
The Swedish Parliament passed new laws for unemployment insurance and unemployment insurance funds. The student condition was introduced. We launched our first website.
1998
Akademikernas a-kassa developed and, as the only a-kassa, offered the possibility to submit time reports (then called kassakort) online.
1995
The general administrative courts became the appellate authority for unemployment cases, and the a-kassor took on the role of litigating party.
1996
The benifit level was lowered to 75 percent. Stricter sanctions for fraud were introduced. The number of suspension days for those who resigned increased from 20 to 45.
1997
The Swedish Parliament passed new laws for unemployment insurance and unemployment insurance funds. The student condition was introduced. We launched our first website.
1998
Akademikernas a-kassa developed and, as the only a-kassa, offered the possibility to submit time reports (then called kassakort) online.
2002
The a-kassor became subject to the rules of public access and confidentiality. The maximum daily benefit was raised to 680 kronor, and a higher daily benefit of 730 kronor was introduced.
2004
The Swedish Unemployment Insurance Inspectorate (IAF) became the supervisory authority for the a-kassor and the Public Employment Service.
2006
We had over 600,000 members. In December, unemployment was at 1.9 percent. The head office had around 100 employees.
2007
The monthly fee was raised from 90 to 240 kronor following a decision by the Swedish Parliament. Shortly thereafter, 70,000 members left Akademikernas a-kassa. In September, the fee was lowered.
2002
The a-kassor became subject to the rules of public access and confidentiality. The maximum daily benefit was raised to 680 kronor, and a higher daily benefit of 730 kronor was introduced.
2004
The Swedish Unemployment Insurance Inspectorate (IAF) became the supervisory authority for the a-kassor and the Public Employment Service.
2006
We had over 600,000 members. In December, unemployment was at 1.9 percent. The head office had around 100 employees.
2007
The monthly fee was raised from 90 to 240 kronor following a decision by the Swedish Parliament. Shortly thereafter, 70,000 members left Akademikernas a-kassa. In September, the fee was lowered.
2011
The rules on disregarded time were clarified.
2013
The temporary rules for long-term sick leave ended, and the measures for those who prolong or cause their unemployment were changed.
2015
The benefit ceiling in the a-kassa was raised to 910 kronor per day for the first 100 days. After that, the maximum is 760 kronor per day. The social insurance inquiry submitted its final report.
2016
The membership fee was raised to 100 kronor. A labour market inquiry was launched to review the state’s role and the Public Employment Service’s mission.
2011
The rules on disregarded time were clarified.
2013
The temporary rules for long-term sick leave ended, and the measures for those who prolong or cause their unemployment were changed.
2015
The benefit ceiling in the a-kassa was raised to 910 kronor per day for the first 100 days. After that, the maximum is 760 kronor per day. The social insurance inquiry submitted its final report.
2016
The membership fee was raised to 100 kronor. A labour market inquiry was launched to review the state’s role and the Public Employment Service’s mission.
2017
In november, we reached 700,000 members. The part-time rules were changed so that you can work part-time and receive a-kassa for a maximum of 60 weeks.
2019
The labour market inquiry submitted its final report, and Arbetsförmedlingen was assigned an analytical task by the government related to the reform of Arbetsförmedlingen.
2019
Akademikernas a-kassa celebrated its 50th anniversary, had 706,000 members and about 120 employees.
2025
Sweden’s largest a-kassa ever with over 790,000 members.
2017
In november, we reached 700,000 members. The part-time rules were changed so that you can work part-time and receive a-kassa for a maximum of 60 weeks.
2019
The labour market inquiry submitted its final report, and Arbetsförmedlingen was assigned an analytical task by the government related to the reform of Arbetsförmedlingen.
2019
Akademikernas a-kassa celebrated its 50th anniversary, had 706,000 members and about 120 employees.
2025
Sweden’s largest a-kassa ever with over 790,000 members.