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Spoiler alert: none! Yes, you read that right. In France, there is no minimum marriage requirement to qualify for a survivor's pension. No need to celebrate your silver or diamond wedding anniversary to hope to receive something after your spouse's death.
But... (because there's always a but), it's not as simple as it seems. The survivor's pension is a real administrative labyrinth.
In this article, we'll take you by the hand and explain everything, with a smile (and a few touches of humor, because why not). Come on, let's take it easy.
Before you get out the calculator and the marriage papers, let's lay the groundwork. A survivor's pension is a portion of the pension that your deceased spouse received (or would have received) , and which can be paid to you after their death.
It's a welcome boost to avoid finding yourself in financial trouble at a time when, frankly, you already have other worries to deal with.
And good news: contrary to popular belief, putting on a wedding dress (again) or accumulating several years of marriage does not always prevent you from receiving this pension. But be careful, each pension plan has its own rules (yes, because otherwise it would be too simple).
If your other half was a private sector employee, then the general social security system comes into play. And here, it's clear: there is no marriage duration requirement . Even if you said "I do" the day before the big departure (assuming it wasn't with the aim of pocketing the jackpot), you may be entitled to a pension.
But be careful, it's not an open bar. There are other criteria to meet.
To benefit from this pension:
You must be at least 55 years old .
Your personal resources must not exceed a certain ceiling (this changes every year).
In 2024, this ceiling was €24,232 per year for a single person. If your income is higher, you can say goodbye to the survivor's pension under the general scheme, even if you were married for 40 years.
Ah, the good old days of exes... Good news for some: an ex-spouse can also receive a survivor's pension . Still without any marriage length condition. The only catch? The cake is shared between all the exes and the surviving spouse in proportion to the years of marriage.
So if your late loved one was a fan of “renewable marriage,” the share melts like snow in the sun.
Ah, special diets... Those French exceptions we love to hate (except when they suit us). A bit like a backless wedding dress : seductive, elegant, but tailor-made for one person. Civil servants, self-employed, liberal professions... everyone has their own little house rules.
Civil servants don't joke about marriage. To receive survivor's benefits, you have to have been married . And this time, civil partnerships or cohabitation, even long-term, don't entitle you to anything .
But good news: still no minimum marriage length required .
In other words, a quick wedding is possible… but not necessarily sufficient.
If you got married after the civil servant retired , you must have at least 4 years of marriage , or a child together.
In the event of divorce, reversion is also possible, but only if you have not remarried .
The moral: for civil servants, marriage is not everything, but it is the bare minimum.
Because in France, there's no such thing as a simple rule. There are always exceptions to the rule, and twisted cases that shouldn't be overlooked.
Let's not kid ourselves: if you get married three weeks before the death, even in a beautiful , flowing wedding dress , it might raise eyebrows with the authorities. Even if there is no minimum length of time required, the pension fund can refuse the pension if it suspects fraud or a "marriage of convenience."
If the deceased married several times (and this is their right), the survivor's pension is shared between the former spouses and the surviving spouse , in proportion to the length of the marriage .
So if you're the last one to arrive and the others stayed longer... you might get the smallest piece of the pie.
It's unfair, but that's how it is. If you've lived together for 30 years, with hearts on the walls and joint accounts... you're not entitled to anything . Reversion is only for spouses or ex-spouses .
Civil partnership? Same rate. Civil partnerships do not entitle you to a survivor's pension . Moral: marriage still has its advantages , at least for pensions.
Check all the boxes? Perfect. Just like with an Empire Wedding Dress , nothing is left to chance. You have to make a request. It's not automatic, and if you wait for it to fall into place on its own... you could be waiting a long time.
For the general system:
On the website lassuranceretraite.fr , with your retirement account.
By mail, by downloading the application form.
For supplementary and special plans:
You will need to contact each fund concerned .
Yes, it's a bit of an administrative treasure hunt. Prepare some coffee (and your family record book).
A full copy of the death certificate
Your family record book or marriage certificate
Your proof of resources
Your bank details
And above all… patience. The treatment can take several months .
There's no single pension plan. And if your spouse has had multiple jobs in their life, they may have contributed to multiple funds.
Each fund can pay a survivor's pension , according to its own rules. So do not forget any fund in your application.
“You need at least 10 years of marriage!”, “If you’re remarried, it’s over!”... These preconceived ideas are often false . Take the time to consult official websites or ask a retirement advisor.
Associations, retirement homes, or even town halls can help you put together your file . Don't be left alone when faced with the pile of paperwork.
Don't panic. If you are refused a survivor's pension, you have the right to appeal .
Start by appealing to the relevant pension fund . Sometimes, a missing document or incorrect information is enough to block everything.
If nothing changes, you can take the matter to the administrative court. But then, you might as well say that we're entering a new dimension. Arm yourself with patience (and possibly a lawyer). For more details, see this article .
So, to answer the question once and for all:
👉 There is no minimum length of marriage to be entitled to a survivor's pension , whether under the general scheme or the special schemes.
But be careful, this does not automatically guarantee obtaining a pension. You must also meet the conditions of age, resources, and above all... not have been satisfied with a civil partnership or an unrequited love.
In the general system: yes .
In civil servant schemes: no , if you are a remarried ex-spouse.
No. No rights are granted by a civil partnership or cohabitation.
Yes , if your deceased partner had contributed to several plans, or if you had several deceased spouses (a rare situation, but possible).
In general, it is 54% of the deceased's retirement pension in the general scheme.
And there you have it! Now you know everything you need to know (and a little more) about survivor's pensions. Whether you've been married for two months or twenty years, you have all the information you need to understand your rights and, above all, avoid missing out on a valuable helping hand .
Of course, we hope you never need it too soon. But as the saying goes: prevention is better than running blindly to the pension fund.
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