Private or public sector employees who meet legal retirement conditions—primarily age—can apply for their pension. Claiming rights involves strict procedures and deadlines. This guide, based on official French social security rules, walks you through everything.
Employees can request retirement upon reaching the minimum legal age, which varies by birth year.
Born before July 1951: Retire at 60 anytime. Set departure on the first day of your chosen month.
Born July–December 1951: At 60 years and 4 months, same conditions.
Born 1952: 60 years and 9 months.
Born 1953: 61 years and 2 months.
Born 1954: 61 years and 7 months. Departure is the first day of the month after reaching age, or the exact day if born on the 1st. Early claims possible for long careers, disability, or arduous work.
Born 1955+: Age 62, same conditions as 1954.
Pro tip from retirement experts: Submit your request 4–6 months before your planned date to ensure smooth processing.
Once your stop-work date is set, apply to your general social security scheme fund, MSA (agriculture), RSI (self-employed), or Cavimac (clergy). Use Cerfa form n°10916*08 "Single request for personal basic pension," with required documents (ID proof copy, bank details, last tax notice) and optional ones. Mail, deliver in person, or apply online via your Assurance Retraite personal account.
Born 1953+: Use the "single pension settlement" via your last contributing scheme.
Request supplementary benefits 6 months ahead. Do it online at Agirc-Arrco ("My online pension request") or by mail.
No statutory process, but check your contract or collective agreement. Notify early—matching dismissal notice periods (e.g., 2 months for 2+ years seniority). Send via registered mail with acknowledgment for protection.
Apply at least 6 months before your desired end date. Procedures vary by service.
Submit Cerfa n°12230*20 "Application for retirement pension of a civil servant or soldier and supplementary pension" to HR and Service des Retraites de l'État (SRE).
Notify your employer first. They contact CNRACL and provide a "Pension request" form. Return it completed at least 3 months prior.
Follow private sector steps: general and supplementary funds. Apply online via Caisse des Dépôts Retraites et Solidarité (for CNRACL, Ircantec, etc.) or Ircantec directly, 4 months before your date.
