An easy point of comparison is what the maximum benefit equates to in percentage of average gross income for the individual and what the taxes are for it. We see about 12% SS tax in the US and about 18% mandatory pension tax in Sweden (not counting the semi-mandatory). Benefit-wise we see earners at the ceiling getting about 30% in the US and about 20% from the mandatory portion in Sweden. Retirment ages are similar but about a couple years later for the US. Both systems have minimum retirement ages, survivor benefits, ceilings, and non-progressive fixed rates. I wasn't able to find any mention of the 15 year calculation. Also, the 59 1/2 retirment age you mentioned is not an option under SS nor Sweden's mandatory systems.

So yeah, it seems like the mandatory portion pays out less than SS, but might require fewer years of pay.

I'm not sure what criteria that we are using to determine if it's better as they seem very similar. If you want to work fewer years and get a smaller payout, that's possible under SS as well. If we want to include employer contributions as well, we would have to look at things like union employees, public sector employees, and employer contributions to DC plans in the US.

"I like that one’s retirement is funded by both the government and the employer, and optionally by the individual."

This isn't true. Participation by the individual is mandatory in either system. The only thing the government is covering under Sweden is in the event of childcare.