The SOK agreement covers all artistic professions at publicly funded performing arts institutions. Dancers, soloist singer, chorus singers, musical theatre artists and musicians over the age of 18 who are or have been employed at such institutions are also covered by SOKstiftelsen.
The SOK agreement is based on employers at these performing arts institutions paying premiums to SOKstiftelsen. These premiums cover the cost of the support for career adjustment and transition. It is therefore only the combined periods of employment at such institutions that count towards your qualifying time. For example, if you have been employed at private-sector theatres or independent theatres or dance companies, this time may not be included. Neither can you include the time that you have worked at a performing arts institution on a self-employed basis and for which you have invoiced.
These employers are covered by the agreement
You can apply for support from the month you turn 35 up to and including the month before you turn 43.
In order to receive active support for career transition, the minimum qualifying period is a total of 18 months over the past five years at one or more performing arts institutions covered by the agreement. See the list
In order to receive financial support for career adjustment and transition, the minimum qualifying period is four years (48 months) at one or more performing arts institutions covered by the agreement (see the list), 18 months of which must have been in the past five years.
To receive full financial support, you must have a total qualifying period of at least 16 years.
If you have worked as soloist singer or musical theatre artist you can count that time as well. If you are applying as a dancer 75 percent of your qualifying time must have been as a dancer.
Example of calculation - dancer, 35 years old
Example of calculation - dancer, 39 years old
You can apply for support from the month you turn 45 up to and including the month before you turn 56.
In order to receive active support for career transition, the minimum qualifying period is a total of 18 months over the past five years at one or more performing arts institutions covered by the agreement. See the list
In order to receive financial support for career adjustment and transition, the minimum qualifying period is four years (48 months) at one or more performing arts institutions covered by the agreement (see the list), 18 months of which must have been in the past five years.
To receive full financial support, you must have a total qualifying period of at least 16 years. If you have worked as dancer or musical theatre artist you can count that time as well.
Example of calculation - Soloist singer, 48 years old
You can apply for support from the month you turn 45 up to and including the month before you turn 56.
In order to receive active support for career transition, the minimum qualifying period is a total of 18 months over the past four years at one or more performing arts institutions covered by the agreement. See the list
In order to receive financial support for career adjustment and transition, the minimum qualifying period is four years (48 months) at one or more performing arts institutions covered by the agreement (see the list), 18 months of which must have been in the past four years.
To receive full financial support, you must have a total qualifying period of at least 16 years.
Example of calculation - Chorus singer, 48 years old
You can apply for support from the month you turn 45 up to and including the month before you turn 56.
In order to receive active support for career transition, the minimum qualifying period is a total of 18 months over the past five years at one or more performing arts institutions covered by the agreement. See the list
In order to receive financial support for career adjustment and transition, the minimum qualifying period is four years (48 months) at one or more performing arts institutions covered by the agreement (see the list), 18 months of which must have been in the past five years.
To receive full financial support, you must have a total qualifying period of at least 16 years.
If you have worked as a soloist singer or a dancer, you can count that time as well.
Example of calculation - Musical Theatre Artist, 48 years old
You can apply for support from the month you turn 55 up to and including the month before you turn 64.
In order to receive active support for career transition, the minimum qualifying period is a total of 18 months over the past five years at one or more performing arts institutions covered by the agreement.
In order to receive financial support for career adjustment and transition, the minimum qualifying period is six years (72 months) at one or more performing arts institutions covered by the agreement (see the list), 18 months of which must have been in the past three years.
To receive full financial support, you must have a total qualifying period of at least 22 years.
Example of calculation - Musician, 58 years old
Example of calculation - Musician, 58 years old
Example of calculation - Musician, 61 years old
Under the SOK agreement, actors and other artistic professions may instead receive an extra pension provision to enable more flexible pension withdrawal, for example through earlier retirement. These groups of professions are not covered by SOKstiftelsen.