Pensions pensioners

Retirees need at least €15,000 a year to live comfortably in France, finds report

This amount does not include the cost of accommodation or bills, and focuses only on commonly-used goods and services

850,000 retirees in France will see their pension increase from October

Eligible pensioners will also receive an average €600 retrospective payment

Can foreign retirees really claim ‘free pension’ after move to France?

We look at recent claims by far-right Rassemblement National president Jordan Bardella about the French Aspa benefit

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Updates: French long-term residency cards and UK life certificates

We reply to a reader’s concern about applying for carte de résident de longue-durée and look at a MP’s feedback on life certificates

Do UK pensioners in France now have to use digital life certificates?

New IT-based services are replacing classic ‘proof of life’ formats for some

French 'village' alternative for retirees who do not want nursing home

The furnished homes in Dordogne are purpose-built and the site comes with a range of facilities. There are plans to open other such sites soon

France's pension reforms largely approved as referendum rejected

France’s highest constitutional authority has validated the most controversial part of the country's pension reforms - raising the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64

Strikes? New government? What’s next amid France’s pensions anger?

The French government sparked fury on Thursday by using article 49.3 to force through controversial pension reforms without a vote in parliament

Traffic, fuel, rubbish: France braces for yet another pension strike

Ahead of another national strike against France’s controversial pension reforms on March 15, we look at the disruption facing travellers

France’s pension strikes: How bad is the ongoing travel disruption?

Amid ongoing protests over France’s controversial pension reform, we recap the disruption facing travellers on Friday and into the weekend

Lorry drivers in France called to a no-end date strike from March 5

Road blockages and slow-driving protests are among the actions expected as strikes and opposition to the government’s pension reforms continue

Do the French public support the pension reform strikes?

The majority of people who took part in a poll say they are opposed and 14% plan to participate in next week’s protests, another survey found

Pension reform, nuclear vote, film, fashion: The week ahead in France

This week (January 23-29) is set to include important hearings in parliament and the senate as well as the Chinese New Year parade in Paris

Pension protests France: new strike day set after million plus march

Further action announced as both sides remain firm on their position

17 million pensioners in France to see basic pensions boosted by 4%

Rising inflation and the cost of living have prompted the change to régime général plans, the prime minister said, although unions say it is not enough

Is there an age exemption for French ‘taxe foncière’?

I was 75 in January 2019 and because my income is small, I thought I would have total exemption from the taxe foncière . However, I received a bill for around €1,000. This was lower than previous years but I was expecting zero. What could the reason be? D.P.

Pension rises in France: how much more could I get from January?

Base pension rates are set to increase new figures from the government confirm

France pledges €240m for struggling at-home elderly care services

Low salaries and the Covid crisis have worsened staff shortages in the sector meaning that availability is now a ‘postcode lottery’ and some requests for help are being denied

Would all UK state pensioners in France be hit by rise limit plan?

UK pensions are already much less generous as a proportion of income in working life than pensions in many other European countries including France – but systems are very different

Covid vaccine: Pensioners in France struggle to book slots

‘Where’s my vaccine?’ People aged 75 and over across France say there are no appointments available - as hospitals are warned to prepare for a new spike

Your French tax questions answered this November

Hugh MacDonald answers reader questions on correction service for tax declarations, government pensions, winter fuel payment and more

It’s decision time for UK pensions in France after Brexit

In his monthly feature for The Connexion readers, Robert Kent of Kentingtons shares his thoughts on what your UK pension options are after Brexit

French neurologist hopeful on early Alzheimer’s diagnosis

A prominent French neurology professor has suggested that a network of “memory centres”, and a new smartphone app, could help with ongoing “hopeful” research into early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

More strikes in France as pension reform continues

Today (Friday January 24) marks the seventh national day of strikes in France against the government’s proposed pension reforms, as protesters call for more action on Wednesday, January 29, 30 and 31.

Paris Opera orchestra performs pension strike concert

Singers and musicians of the Paris Opera orchestra have given a concert in front of the Palais Garnier in Paris, the first of 2020 as part of their strike action against the government’s proposed pension reform.

Pension strikes: French PM offers concession on age

The French government has offered a concession on the “pivotal” pension age of 64 this weekend, as the 38th day of strikes saw 149,000 people march across France.

President Macron confirms he will not take his pension

French President Emmanuel Macron will not take his future president’s pension, it has been confirmed, as protests against pension reform continue across France.

Not one year since 1947 without SNCF strike in France

There has not been a single year since 1947 in which SNCF train workers have not gone on strike in France in some way, a new study has found.

Unions: Strike may continue in France over Christmas

Strikes are continuing in France today (Friday December 13) with some unions threatening to carry on through Christmas, after Prime Minister Édouard Philippe spoke to a mixed response this week.

French PM says ‘no magic’ speech coming on pensions

There will be “no magic announcements” to stop the pension strikes, Édouard Philippe has said, ahead of his speech on the issue today, as it emerges that the reforms will apply only to those born after 1975.

Strike: More travel issues and disruption in France

Disruption is continuing across France today (Friday December 6), and is expected to continue into the weekend, as trains, buses and flights remain cancelled, and many schools and hospitals are partially closed.

French elderly care home residents surf in Channel

An elderly care home in Brittany is encouraging residents to remain active in old age, by offering “surf therapy” lessons in the waves of the English Channel.

What changes in France in October 2019

Lower gas prices, simplified retirement saving plans, and new rules on lifts in buildings are among some of the changes starting this month in France.

Paris mayor: ‘Police violence makes protest difficult’

The mayor of Paris has said that it is “becoming difficult to protest” in Paris and has condemned the police violence that was seen during protests against climate change and pension reform last weekend.

Tens of thousands march in Paris amid continued unrest

Tens of thousands of people marched the streets in Paris this weekend to protest over issues including climate change, pension reform, and the continuing gilets jaunes movement, with some turning violent.

New Paris protest against French pension reforms

Liberal professions to rally against government's plans to simplify France's pensions system amid fears over rights and payments

Study: French people taking retirement later and later

French people are taking retirement at an increasingly older age, a new study has found, with the average age now approaching 63, a rise of two months compared to the the previous year.

Theft in home scams by fake police on rise in France

THEFT scams by criminals posing as police officers and plumbers are on the rise in France, police have warned, with elderly people especially at risk.

France rules out health checks on older drivers

Drivers over the age of 75 in France will not be required to have a medical exam in order to keep their driver’s licence, in contrast to some other Europe countries, it has been confirmed.

Heatwave advice: France reacts to 45°C red alert

Four departments are on red heatwave alert in France today (June 28) for the first time ever, with up to 45°C expected - as heat records are broken, schools close, and travel is postponed due to heat.

Money, tax, pensions: What changes in France in May?

A new month always brings a set of changes for people living in France. Notable changes for May 2019 include a drop in gas prices, and a drop in contributions for certain pensioners.

France to remove one bank holiday to fund elderly care

The French government is expected to announce the removal of one public holiday a year - with no extra pay for workers - as a means to finance increased support for older people.

New no-deal French law covers health and residency

France has fast-tracked a new law setting out rules for Britons living in France in the case of a no-deal.

11 key changes in France from January 1, 2019

A new year and a new month are set to bring changes to life in France, including - from January 1, 2019 - a rise in gas prices, a ban on glyphosate, changes to energy benefits, tax, healthcare, and apprenticeships.

UK to pay Brits' healthcare for year if no-deal Brexit

S1 pensioners fear funding cuts

‘No change to France retirement age’ after backlash

There will be no change to the minimum retirement age in France, the health minister has confirmed, despite having previously suggested that “a lengthening in the duration of work” may be possible.

1,000 letters axing pensions sent in error

The pensions department of the UK’s DWP has apologised for sending out 1,000 letters, including many to France, in error telling people that their state pension was being stopped.

'Forgotten' French retirees march for buying power

Thousands of retired people in France have marched in Paris to call for government measures to boost their buying power, claiming they have been “forgotten” despite their living costs “continuing to rise”.

UK reveals details on pension rights after Brexit

Uprating for Britons living in EU countries after a no-deal Brexit would depend on 'reciprocal arrangements', new government document reveals

Social charges on pensions in France

Why am I liable to social charges on my pension?

UK government 'could help now'

Expats called on the UK government to help now with pension uprating and pensioners’ healthcare and not wait for Brexit negotiations to take place – this was one of the points made today to British MPs by representatives of Britons abroad.

May I inherit part of partner's pension?

My Pacs (French civil partnership) partner died recently. We had lived together in the UK and now France. When I contacted the UK pensions office to notify them of my partner’s death they told me as we were not married, I would not be entitled to part of my partner’s pension. Is that correct? J.M.

Long-lost friends find each other after 74 years

Two friends and former teaching colleagues from Brittany who lost touch after World War II have found each other in the same care home, 74 years after they last spoke.

Retirees march in protest over social charges rise

Demonstrations planned in Nancy, Caen, Paris, Angers and Montpellier on extra 1.7% in CSG, which pensioners say is leaving many on breadline

Gulf between French and UK pensions

French retirees are uniquely well-off compared to average earnings says a report

Pension not payable in France

I will be 65 in 2018 and have worked in the UK and France. I have two private pension pots. One is ‘paid up’ and benefits become available on my birthday but I have received a letter saying they will not be able pay annuities into my French bank account. They offer ‘options’ of receiving cheques or transferring the benefits to another registered pension provider. Is this normal? J.S.

French retirees ‘better off’ than peers, says report

French retired people are much better off than many of their peers from other European nations, according to a new report from French economic development agency OCDE.

Will early-retirees have to pay new Puma charge?

Is it correct that retired people who pay social charges on pension income will now have to pay the cotisation subsidiaire maladie (CSM) which has replaced the old CMU payments? We pay social charges on our company pensions and on a very small amount of interest. We are not at UK state pension age yet. CS