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Ah, survivor's pension! That sweet little word that pops up when you start thinking about what comes next. Because yes, love is beautiful, but sometimes the paperwork that comes with it can hold a few surprises. And then, a very simple question arises: how many years of marriage does it take to receive survivor's pension? Spoiler: the answer is less obvious than it seems. So buckle up (not too tight, though), we'll explain everything lightly but straightforwardly.
Before you get out the calculator and the marriage certificate (and why not the wedding dress to commemorate this big day), let's do a quick refresher. The survivor's pension is a portion of the pension that your deceased spouse received (or would have received), and that you can receive as the surviving spouse. A bit like a retirement inheritance, if you will.
You don't have to be married for 50 years like in romantic movies. But there are still rules , and that's where it gets a little tricky. Don't worry, we'll sort it all out for you.
Yes, you read that right. Contrary to popular belief, in most cases, there is no minimum length of marriage required to receive a survivor's pension . Good news, right?
If your loved one was covered by the general social security system (in other words, if he or she worked in the private sector), then there is no marriage duration requirement . Even if you got married three months before his or her death (and no, we're not judging!), you are entitled to a survivor's pension. The law doesn't look at love stories, it looks at papers.
On the other hand, there are age and resource conditions , which we will come back to a little later.
Here too, there is no requirement for the length of the marriage . You can breathe a sigh of relief. However, if you were simply in a civil partnership or living together, it's a no. Reversion is only for married couples. Long live administrative romanticism.
So, be careful. If your spouse was a civil servant (teacher, police officer, nurse, etc.), there is sometimes a condition of length of marriage , but this is not systematic.
Good news, in this case, there is no minimum marriage duration. Married before retirement = guaranteed reversion (if the other conditions are met, of course).
This is less funny. You then need at least 4 years of marriage or to have had children together or to have been married two years before the death . You see, it becomes a bit of a game of combinations, like an emotional Rubik's Cube.
Ah yes, the ex. The one you didn't want to hear about anymore. It's a bit like that Empire Wedding Dress , which, after the big day, ends up being put away in a corner, but which can sometimes resurface unexpectedly. Except surprise: if you were married and your ex dies, you can still receive part of the survivor's pension, provided you haven't remarried in the meantime (in certain cases). And guess what? There's also no minimum length of marriage required in the main schemes.
Yes indeed. If the deceased had several successive spouses , the pension is shared in proportion to the years of marriage . It's a bit like a pie: each person gets their share, based on the time spent at the table. This makes for an original reunion at funerals.
Now that you understand that you don't need to have your golden wedding anniversary to hope for a survivor's pension, let's see if you have to wait a certain age to be eligible. And the answer is: yes, often.
You must be at least 55 years old to apply for a survivor's pension. Before that age, even if you're a widow or widower, it's a no-go. No cake before your time.
The minimum age is also 55 , with some exceptions (disability, dependent children, etc.). Here, the rules can vary a little. But overall, it's 55 too. It's a bit like the official age where the administration says you've earned a little something.
A nice surprise here: there is no age requirement to receive a survivor's pension in the civil service . However, be careful of the conditions regarding marriage, as we saw above.
Be careful, even if you've been married and meet all the age requirements, there's one last obstacle : resources. And yes, the state is still monitoring you a little.
Here, the survivor's pension is subject to a means test . That is to say, your income (salaries, rent, pensions, etc.) must not exceed a certain threshold.
In 2024, this threshold is approximately €24,232 per year for a single person, and €38,771 for a couple . So if you earn a good living, if you have a nice real estate portfolio, or if you have invested in a luxury Wedding Dress for Plus Size Women , no reversion for you. This is the rule of "no double jackpot"
Good news for civil servants and supplementary pension plans: no income ceilings . Even if you have the bank account of a crypto influencer, the pension is for you.
That's all well and good, but you still have to make the request. No, it doesn't just drop into your mailbox (unfortunately).
You will need to provide:
A death certificate
A family record book or marriage certificate
An identity document
Your proof of resources (in the general scheme)
And sometimes… a little patience
What if you're lost in the paperwork? Don't panic, there are reception centers or retirement advisors to help you for free.
Ah, the famous question of accumulation. Can you collect both your own pension and the deceased's survivor's pension? Well... yes, in most cases. A bit like when you're hesitating between a bohemian wedding dress and a more classic style: it's possible to combine the two, but beware of resource ceilings in the general scheme. Under other schemes, no problem.
In other words: you can accumulate, but not too much either , especially if you depend on the general scheme.
So there, it gets complicated depending on the diet:
General system : even if you remarry, you can still receive your pension.
Agirc-Arrco : same, remarriage or not, it doesn't change anything.
Civil Service : Be careful, remarriage here can cause you to lose your right to a survivor's pension . Yes, sometimes you have to choose between love and retirement...
Sophie married Jean at 64. Three months later, Jean died (yes, it's sad). Good news for Sophie: even though their marriage was short, she can receive a survivor's pension. There's no minimum length of service under the general scheme!
Marc, a former police officer, dies. His widow, Claire, receives a survivor's pension. A few years later, she remarries. The result: no more survivor's pension , because in the civil service, remarriage cancels this right. Ouch.
Paul was married three times. Upon his death, his three ex-wives are entitled to a share of the survivor's pension... provided they were married, not just in a civil partnership or cohabiting. And the share depends on the length of time spent with Paul. Some details may be surprising . It was important to take notes!
No need for X years of marriage in the majority of cases (general, supplementary scheme).
Please note in the civil service : 4 years of marriage or common children if married after retirement.
Minimum age often set at 55 (except in the civil service).
Resources capped in the general system, but not elsewhere.
Only married couples can claim it (sorry those in a civil partnership).
Ex-spouses : yes, it’s possible… but we share.
Remarriage : sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
There you have it, all the information you need to shine at the next family meal or, more seriously, anticipate this somewhat taboo but very real question. Because talking about retirement isn't glamorous, but it can prevent a lot of unpleasant surprises.
Do you have any other questions about retirement or the intricacies of marital rights? That's great, because we love talking paperwork... with humor!