The G Base Amount in Norway in 2026 - impact on benefits and pensions

The G base amount appears in decisions on benefits, disability benefits and pensions in Norway. If you are applying to NAV or already receive a benefit, a change in G may affect the income threshold, the maximum calculation basis or the minimum rate.

In this article, we explain the value of G in 2026, when the new amounts apply and how they affect the most important benefits and the Norwegian pension.

What is the G base amount in 2026?

Grunnbeløpet, or the G base amount, is a statutory parameter in the Norwegian social insurance system. G is used to determine, among other things:

• the minimum income required to receive a benefit,
• the maximum income included in calculations,
• minimum rates for disability benefits and parts of pensions,
• the amount of certain benefits defined as a multiple of G.

G is not an amount paid automatically. If a benefit equals 66% of income up to 6 G, this means that only income up to the stated limit is taken into account, and the 66% rate is applied afterwards.

The value of G is updated annually with effect from 1 May. The adjustment rules are set out in the Norwegian National Insurance Act.

Average G is lower than the rate applicable from May because it includes four months at the old amount and eight months at the new amount:

(130,160 × 4 + 136,549 × 8) ÷ 12 = NOK 134,419

The most commonly used multiples of G from 1 May 2026 are:

Amounts in a decision may differ by NOK 1 from simple multiplication due to rounding rules.

How does G affect benefits for employees and parents?

G can set both the lower income threshold required to receive a benefit and the upper limit of the calculation basis. The final payment also depends on the date entitlement arises, previous earnings and the other conditions of the specific benefit.

Unemployment benefit

For unemployment benefit, previous income must be at least:

• NOK 204,824, or 1.5 G, in the past 12 months, or
• NOK 409,647, or 3 G, in total over the past 36 months.

The benefit is up to 62.4% of previous income, but income above NOK 819,294, or 6 G, does not increase the calculation basis. Meeting the income threshold is not enough on its own. You must also meet the other conditions, including losing at least 50% of your total working hours, registering as a jobseeker and submitting meldekort.

We discuss the full conditions in our article on unemployment benefit in Norway. If you wish, we will be happy to help you prepare your application: unemployment benefit dagpenger/permittering.

Sickness benefit and parental benefit

For sickness benefit, the maximum annual calculation basis is 6 G, or NOK 819,294. The new limit is particularly relevant if your incapacity for work began on or after 1 May 2026. We describe the detailed rules for payments during illness in the article Sykemelding, sykepenger and egenmelding - what happens in case of illness in Norway?

For parental benefit, the minimum annual income is 0.5 G, or NOK 68,275, and the benefit covers income up to a maximum of 6 G, or NOK 819,294. You must also have earned income or received a qualifying benefit for at least 6 of the last 10 months before the benefit period begins. You can find more information in the article How much is foreldrepenger and how long is parental leave in Norway?

For the statutory minimum income requirements for these benefits, the new G-based thresholds apply from 1 June 2026. For the maximum basis of 6 G, however, the date entitlement arises is important. The increase in G from 1 May does not itself increase every payment that started earlier.

AAP, disability benefit and survivor benefits

For long-term benefits, G affects the maximum calculation basis, minimum rates or the benefit amount directly.

AAP

AAP is generally 66% of previous income. Income up to a maximum of 6 G, or NOK 819,294, is taken into account, so the maximum full rate is approximately NOK 540,734 gross per year.

Calculations use the more favourable of two options: income from the last year before your work capacity was reduced, or average income from the last three years. The annual basis is divided by 260 working days. The actual payment depends, among other things, on work performed, the degree of reduced work capacity and submitted meldekort.

We describe the broader rules in the article Arbeidsavklaringspenger AAP - key information. You do not need to go through the whole process alone - we will be happy to help you through the AAP - benefit after an accident or prolonged incapacity for work service.

Disability benefit for permanent incapacity for work

Uføretrygd (disability benefit for permanent incapacity for work) is generally 66% of average pensionable income from the three best of the last five years. The 6 G limit also applies here, so the maximum benefit at a 100% degree of disability is approximately NOK 540,734 gross per year.

The minimum rate depends, among other things, on marital status, age when incapacity arose, degree of incapacity for work and insurance period. With a shorter insurance period in Norway, the amount may be reduced proportionally.

From 1 October 2026, with effect for income from 1 January 2026, the amount of additional income allowed without a reduction in disability benefit changed:

• during the first 24 months of receiving the benefit, it remains 0.4 G, or NOK 54,619.60,
• after 24 months, it is 1 G, or NOK 136,549.

For people granted disability benefit before 1 January 2024, the 1 G threshold is to be taken into account for the entire year 2026. The individual threshold may be higher because it also includes income considered possible to earn after incapacity for work arose. From 1 July 2026, the benefit reduction cannot exceed 70% of income earned above the individual threshold.

How does G affect pensions in 2026?

For pensions, it is necessary to distinguish between accrual of a future pension, indexation of a pension already being paid and minimum benefit levels. Different indicators were applied to these in 2026.

Pension still being accrued

For people born in 1963 or later, 18.1% of pensionable income is added to pension capital each year, up to a maximum of 7.1 average G. In 2026, the income limit included in pension accrual is approximately NOK 954,375.

If you earn more, the amount above this limit will not increase your pension capital in the Norwegian state system. Previously accumulated capital was increased by 4.91% in 2026.

Pension already being paid

Current pensions were not increased by exactly the same rate as G. From 1 May 2026, paid pensions and AFP in the public sector increased by 4.69%. This indicator takes into account indexation based on average wage and price growth.

Therefore, the 4.91% increase in G and the 4.69% increase in paid pensions are two separate values.

Minimum pension levels

Following the additional increase of NOK 8,000 per year, the minimum pension level rates applicable from 1 May 2026 are:

Adjustments resulting from the additional increase were scheduled for September 2026. The stated rates generally apply to people covered by the old rules, receiving a 100% pension and having a full insurance period.

For guaranteed pensions under the new rules, the rates from 1 May 2026 are:

Full minimum levels generally require 40 years of insurance coverage. With a shorter period, the Norwegian part of the benefit may be proportionally lower. Periods of work in Poland may help meet the eligibility conditions, but they do not automatically guarantee the full Norwegian rate. We discuss the impact of a short work period in more detail in the article What pension from Norway is available after a few years of work?

If you are approaching retirement age, we will be happy to help you check your insurance periods and prepare your application: Alderspensjon - pension in Norway.

FAQ - frequently asked questions

Summary

• From 1 May 2026, 1 G is NOK 136,549, while average G for the full year is NOK 134,419.
• The commonly used 6 G limit is NOK 819,294 and limits the calculation basis for many benefits and disability benefits.
• G increased by 4.91%, but paid pensions increased by 4.69% under a separate mechanism.
• The impact of the new G on your payment depends on the type of benefit, the date entitlement arises, income and insurance period.

If you need help with benefits or pensions, call us: +47 21 38 38 21. We help you organise your benefit matters.

Article author: Marcin - marcin@efirma.no