This paper addresses the need for rapid and radical transformation of socio-economic systems to avoid catastrophic ecological crises, with a focus on Sweden's social-democratic welfare tradition as an example for countries in the Global North. The authors explore how social protection systems can be reorganized according to the concept of ‘sustainable welfare,’ which emphasizes satisfying basic human needs sustainably across time and space. Combining a literature review with qualitative data from deliberative citizen forums, the study follows Max-Neef's Human Scale Development methodology. The literature review underscores the unsustainability of current work regimes. The forums highlighted the necessity of expanding the concept of work beyond traditional employment to address multiple human needs within planetary limits. Eco-social reform ideas discussed include the introduction of a universal basic income, participation income, expansion of universal basic services, working time reduction, and sabbatical years conditioned on civic participation or education. These reforms aim to shift work from an unsustainable, capitalist context to a positive need satisfier.