Questions / answers
Find the most frequently asked questions on survivor’s benefits here.
Are survivor’s benefits automatically allocated?
No, survivor’s benefits are not automatically allocated. A request has to be made of each relevant organization.
What are the tax and social security schemes associated with survivor’s benefits? Do I have a right to the standard deduction on all my retirement benefits?
In France, just like other retirement pensions, survivor’s benefits are subject to CSG (contribution sociale généralisée [generalized social contribution]) CRDS (contribution au remboursement de la dette sociale [social debt reimbursement contribution]) CASA (Contribution Additionnelle de Solidarité pour l’Autonomie [supplementary solidarity for autonomy contribution]) and healthcare contributions. Just like any retirement pension, they are subject to income tax.
Can a spouse or ex-spouse be deprived of their survivor’s benefits through testamentary dispositions?
NO. That is not possible. Retirement funds are vigilant when it comes to ex-spouses who may have a right to a share of survivor’s benefits.
My spouse has never worked and has always been covered as my beneficiary. How will they receive health coverage if they aren’t eligible for survivor’s benefits?
As of January 1st, 2016, “all people who have worked or, if they haven’t had a professional activity, who have durably and regularly lived in France, benefit, in case of sickness or maternity, from health coverage based on the conditions established in the present book”. That is the Universal Health Coverage. A specific contribution may be applied depending on the revenue of the beneficiary.
In the event of shared survivor’s benefits with an ex-spouse, what happens to their share if they die?
An elimination of a share previously allocated to an ex-spouse may, depending on the retirement plan, lead to a new division of benefits. For instance, that’s the case for the basic plan (the CNAV) but not for complementary schemes for employees.
My spouse is a foreign national. Are they eligible for survivor’s benefits?
YES! Survivor’s benefits apply regardless of the surviving spouse’s nationality or place of residence.