When a spouse passes away, the surviving partner may qualify for a survivor's pension through France's Social Security system or the applicable special scheme—such as for agricultural, liberal, craft, commercial, or religious workers. Strict eligibility rules apply. Discover who benefits, how to apply, and expected amounts based on official guidelines.
Upon the death of a spouse, survivors are eligible for a survivor's pension under specific conditions. You must have been legally married to the deceased, who either received a pension or had made sufficient contributions.
Civil partnerships (PACS) or cohabiting couples do not qualify. The survivor must be at least 55 years old; for deaths before 2009, eligibility starts at 51.
The pension is means-tested: annual income must not exceed €20,113.60 for singles or €32,181.76 for couples. Those under 55 receive a 30% income reduction in calculations.
The pension equals 54% of the deceased's pension (or what they would have received). Minimum: €283.87 monthly with 15 years (60 quarters) of insurance; maximum: €868.36.
Increases apply for raising three or more children, or if the survivor has reached basic pension age, claimed their own pension, and it totals under €853.25 monthly.
For salaried workers, farmers, artisans, or most liberal professionals (excluding lawyers), use the standard form from the Social Security retirement website. Special schemes, lawyers, supplementary liberal pensions, or employee top-ups require direct applications to the relevant fund—ideally the deceased's last scheme.
Submit in person or by mail. Declare resources from the last three months (extendable to 12 if refused due to income). Couples must include partner's income, excluding widowhood allowance, invalidity pensions, or supplementary survivor benefits. No response within four months means refusal.
Paid monthly. If applied within 12 months of death, it starts the first day of the following month (earliest at age 55/51). Later applications start the month after submission.
For multiple marriages, the pension divides proportionally by marriage duration.
