Salary exchange (löneväxling) calculator

About salary exchange

Salary exchange means swapping part of your gross pay for a higher pension contribution. Your employer often adds a few percent on what you exchange, which can grow your pension, but your pre-tax pay goes down. Here’s what to keep in mind, when it can pay off, and the pitfalls to avoid.

What is salary exchange?

• You give up part of your gross salary and the employer pays the same amount into your occupational pension.
• The employer saves on social fees and often adds a top-up (typically around 6%).
• Your payslip shows a lower gross salary, but the pension contribution is higher.

When can salary exchange be smart?

• When your income after exchanging still sits above the thresholds for state pension and social insurance (about 8.07 income base amounts). Otherwise you risk lowering your public pension and sickness benefit base.
• If you have a long time until retirement and want the money to grow.
• If your employer offers a good top-up and low fees in the pension plan.

How much should you exchange?

• Choose an amount that keeps you safely above the thresholds for social benefits and the public pension.
• Try different amounts in the calculator and compare how the pension contribution rises versus the drop in your salary.

What happens with tax?

• Tax is based on the lower gross salary. The effect is the difference between your old and new gross pay.
• Pension money is taxed when paid out, often at a lower marginal rate if your income is lower as a retiree.

Fees and return

• Check fund or insurance fees; high fees can eat up the employer top-up.
• If you expect growth, enter a reasonable return. If you just want to compare contributions, keep the projection off.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Don’t exchange so much that you fall below thresholds for public pension, sickness benefit, or parental benefit.
• Salary exchange lowers the income used for sickness benefits, which can affect compensation.
• Make sure the exchanged money stays for retirement and isn’t meant for short-term spending.

How to use the calculator

1. Enter your monthly gross salary and how much you want to exchange.
2. Add the employer top-up and the fee for your occupational pension.
3. Turn on the projection if you want an estimated value at retirement using your age and expected return.
4. See how much your pension rises per month and year, how your gross salary changes, and how the exchange affects you overall.