The survivor's pension provides essential financial support to the surviving spouse of a deceased private-sector worker, transferring a portion of their pension through Social Security. However, eligibility strictly requires a legal marriage—cohabiting partners and those in civil partnerships (PACS) do not qualify.
Also known as the pension de réversion, this benefit allocates 54% of the deceased's pension (or potential pension) to their surviving spouse. The amount may be adjusted based on means-testing and other conditions.
If the deceased had at least 60 quarters of contributions under the general pension scheme, the minimum monthly amount is set annually by the CNAV—€291 as of January 1, 2021. Fewer quarters result in a proportional reduction.
Certain increases apply: an 11.1% boost for surviving spouses at full retirement age who have claimed their own pension, provided total pensions stay below the CNAV ceiling (€2,624 quarterly in 2021). A 10% increase is available for those who raised at least three children with the deceased. Remarried spouses or those with dependent children may also receive supplements.
Depending on reference tax income, deductions like CSG, CRDS, and CASA may apply.
Beyond means-testing, key conditions include the surviving spouse's age (55+ for private-sector decedents; no age limit for civil servants) and marital status.
Only legally married spouses qualify. Cohabiting couples or PACS partners cannot claim this benefit.
Divorced ex-spouses remain eligible, even if remarried, in PACS, or cohabiting—the pension is shared proportionally among all qualifying ex-spouses and the current spouse.
Note: Private-sector claims ignore marriage duration, unlike civil servants, who require four years of marriage or a union celebrated at least two years before retirement.
