Last verified: October 2026 — Sources: Service-Public.fr, L’Assurance retraite, Agirc-Arrco
If you work legally in France, you contribute to the French pension system on the same terms as a French citizen. This guide covers the legal retirement age following the 2023 reform, the quarters required, how the basic and complementary pensions are calculated, minimum pension levels and the specific rights of foreign workers in 2026.
Legal retirement age (2023 reform)
The 2023 reform planned to gradually raise the legal retirement age to 64, but this increase was partially suspended until 2028 under the 2026 Social Security Financing Act. Since 1 September 2026, age 64 applies to people born in 1969 or later, with different thresholds for the 1964–1968 birth cohorts. The table below reflects the rules effective from September 2026; see Service-Public.fr:
| Year of birth | Legal age | Quarters required |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 (and Jan–Mar 1965) | 62 years 9 months | 170 |
| Apr–Dec 1965 | 63 years | 171 |
| 1966 | 63 years 3 months | 172 |
| 1967 | 63 years 6 months | 172 |
| 1968 | 63 years 9 months | 172 |
| 1969 onwards | 64 years | 172 |
At 67, the full rate is granted automatically regardless of how many quarters have been contributed.
How the basic pension is calculated
The basic pension under the régime général (private sector) is calculated as follows:
Annual pension = Average annual salary × Rate × (Quarters validated ÷ Quarters required)
- Average annual salary (SAM): the average of the 25 best years of gross salary (capped at the Social Security ceiling).
- Rate: 50% at the full rate. Without enough quarters, a reduction (décote) of 0.625% per missing quarter applies (maximum 20 quarters of penalty). Working beyond the required quarters earns a bonus (surcote) of 1.25% per extra quarter.
- Pro-rating: if the quarters validated in France are fewer than those required, the pension is reduced proportionally.
Agirc-Arrco complementary pension
Private-sector employees also contribute to the mandatory Agirc-Arrco complementary scheme. The pension is points-based:
- Point value (2026): €1.4386.
- Point purchase price: €20.1877 reference salary.
- Calculation: Gross annual pension = Total accumulated points × €1.4386.
Example: an employee with 6,000 Agirc-Arrco points would receive roughly €8,632 gross per year in complementary pension (about €719 per month).
Minimum pensions
Minimum contributif (MiCo)
If you have contributed enough quarters for the full rate but your basic pension is low, a top-up brings it to a minimum. Gross monthly amounts for pensions starting in 2026:
| Type | Gross monthly | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Basic MiCo | €756.29 | Full rate, fewer than 120 contributed quarters |
| Increased MiCo (majoré) | €903.93 | Full rate and at least 120 contributed quarters (30 years) |
Total pensions (basic + complementary, all schemes) must not exceed €1,410.89 gross per month after the MiCo is applied.
ASPA (former “minimum vieillesse”)
The allocation de solidarité aux personnes âgées (ASPA) is a non-contributory benefit for people aged 65 or over with very low income. Gross monthly amounts in 2026:
| Situation | Gross monthly |
|---|---|
| Single person | €1,043.59 |
| Couple | €1,620.18 |
Important: the ASPA is a recoverable advance against the estate. If the net estate exceeds €108,586.14 (mainland France) or €150,000 (overseas departments), amounts paid may be recovered, capped at €8,463.42 per year of payment.
Early retirement
- Long career (carrière longue): workers who started before age 20 and have at least 5 contributed quarters before the end of their 20th year can retire up to 2 years before the legal age. From 2026, two quarters related to the birth, upbringing or adoption of a child also count.
- Disability: workers with a permanent disability rate of at least 50% can retire from age 55.
- Arduous work (pénibilité): points accumulated in the compte professionnel de prévention (C2P) can bring retirement forward by up to 2 years.
- Incapacity: retirement at 62 at the full rate if a permanent incapacity of at least 50% is recognised.
Rights of foreign workers
Foreign workers who have contributed legally in France have the same pension rights as French citizens. Differences arise depending on nationality and international agreements:
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens
- EU Regulation 883/2004 allows automatic aggregation of contribution periods across all member states (totalisation).
- A single application can be filed from the country of residence; each country pays its share proportionally.
- Periods contributed in another member state count towards the quarters required.
Non-EU nationals
- Rights depend on the existence of a bilateral social security agreement. France has agreements with many countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, India, the Philippines, Senegal, Mali, Israel and others.
- With an agreement: periods contributed in the other country can be aggregated to qualify for the French pension. The calculation method varies by agreement type.
- Without an agreement: only quarters contributed in France count.
- The CLEISS website lists the agreement applicable to each country.
ASPA for foreign residents
- EU citizens: eligible on the same terms as French nationals.
- Non-EU nationals: must have held a work-authorising residence permit (such as a carte de résident) for 10 continuous years, or hold refugee, stateless or subsidiary protection status.
- Residence condition: must live in France for more than 9 months per year.
EU vs non-EU comparison
| Aspect | EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Non-EU nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Contributing in France | Same rights as French nationals | Same rights if legally employed |
| Aggregation of periods | Automatic (Regulation 883/2004) | Depends on bilateral agreement |
| No agreement | Not applicable | Only French quarters count |
| ASPA | Same access as French nationals | 10 years of residence with work permit |
| Receiving pension abroad | Yes, unrestricted | Yes, but ASPA is suspended if not residing in France |
How to apply for retirement
- 4–6 months before: submit your application online at lassuranceretraite.fr (basic pension) and agirc-arrco.fr (complementary).
- Check your career record: review your relevé de carrière to ensure all quarters are correctly recorded.
- Documents: ID, proof of address, bank details (RIB), latest tax notice, civil-status certificates.
- From abroad: contact the Carsat of your last workplace in France or the Centre national de liquidation des retraites à l’étranger.
Related guides
- Family reunification in France
- Health insurance in France
- Titre de séjour in France
- Cost of living in France 2026
Official sources
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Conditions may change. Please consult official sources or a professional for your specific situation.