Expatriation and retirement: How it works
I'm an expat / I want to become one: how does my pension work?
There are two possible working situations abroad: having a local contract or being on secondment.
If you are on secondment, your company will continue to pay contributions to the general French social security system. Your pension is calculated as if you had not left French territory. If you are self-employed, you can "self-detach" in the country where you provide the service.
In the case of a local contract, whether you are self-employed or employed, the periods validated abroad are taken into account in accordance with the social security agreements signed between France and other countries.
Visit the website of the Centre des liaisons européennes et internationales de sécurité sociale (Cleiss) to find out more about your obligations and rights in terms of social protection.
How will my pension be calculated with my international periods?
Periods spent abroad are taken into account differently depending on your country of expatriation.
Working in France and in one or more countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland or a country that has signed a social security agreement with France
Your entire career, including periods abroad, may be taken into account when calculating your pension. If you have worked in a country that has signed a social security agreement with France, the way your pension is calculated will depend on the provisions of the international social security agreement signed with the country concerned.
List of countries in the area of application of European regulations.
Working in France and in several countries with which France has signed a social security agreement or in a country belonging to the European Union and in a country that has signed an agreement
There will be no single calculation (encompassing all the periods completed in all the foreign countries in which you have worked). Your pension will be calculated on the basis of each agreement. The most advantageous calculation will be used.
List of countries that have signed a social security agreement with France.
List of European Union countries.
Working in a country that has not signed a social security agreement with France.
Your pension will be calculated solely on the basis of the periods completed in France, without taking into account those completed in the other country. That country may, if its legislation allows, pay you a pension.
If there is no social security agreement between France and your country of expatriation, you can voluntarily take out insurance with the Caisse des français de l'étranger. This will enable you to continue to contribute to your basic French pension or to the Social Security system.
Brexit: what impact will it have on my future pension?
Brexit is the popular vote for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. This withdrawal has been effective since 1 February 2020 and the transition period ended on 31 December 2020. A trade and cooperation agreement, the provisions of which have been applicable since 1 January 2021, sets out the conditions for expatriates in the United Kingdom.
If you worked in France before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, your periods of employment in France will be taken into account for the purposes of opening and calculating your pension rights in the UK, regardless of the date on which you retire. The social security coordination rules in the European regulations remain applicable.
Similarly, if you worked in the United Kingdom before 31 December 2020 and have continued to work there since 1 January 2021, the Withdrawal Agreement stipulates that social security coordination will continue to apply. Your periods worked in the United Kingdom, before and after this date, may be taken into account in accordance with the procedures laid down in the European coordination regulations.
For more information on pension issues and, more generally, on social protection issues relating to Brexit, consult the Cleiss FAQ.
How do I apply for my pension?
Your pension is not granted automatically; you must apply for it.
To apply from abroad, you need to request a pension application form from the relevant pension body and return it to them.
Your place of residence is important in determining which organisation you belong to:
- if you live in a country covered by European regulations, submit your claim to your pension fund in your country of residence;
- if you live in a country that has signed a social security agreement, submit your claim to the pension fund in your country of residence;
- if you live in a country that has not signed a social security agreement with France, submit your claim to the pension fund of your last place of affiliation. If this is France, you can apply online at lassuranceretraite.fr ;
- if you live in France, you can use the online service "Ask for my pension" available from your personal space on lassuranceretraite.fr.
If you have been self-employed and not an employee, your pension will be calculated in coordination with the 27 countries of the European Union and the following overseas countries and territories: Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Canada,
Chile, South Korea, United States, India, Iceland, Japan, Lichtenstein, Morocco, New Caledonia, Norway, Polynesia, Quebec, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Switzerland, Uruguay. Apply to your pension fund in your country of residence.
If you live in a country other than those listed, submit your pension application online at lassuranceretraite.fr or by post to the regional fund where you last paid contributions in France.
Can I receive my pension abroad?
Yes, you can receive your pension abroad. All you need to do is take a few steps online or contact the fund that pays your pension. Once you're abroad, you'll only have to do one thing a year: download and have your life certificate completed by a competent local authority, valid for all your pension schemes. You can return this form directly from your personal space.
Find out more about retiring abroad.
I'm planning to go abroad and I have questions about my social protection I'm abroad and I have questions.
Moving abroad is an important life choice. Because the subject of expatriation and social protection is a complex one, Assurance Retraite is co-organising a free event devoted entirely to this topic. The aim is to answer your questions and meet with you, in support of your expatriation plans.
The only exhibition bringing together all the public bodies dealing with expatriation will be taking place on 31 March and 1 April 2021 (today and tomorrow) for a 100% digital event. Held in Paris for the past 10 years, the exhibition is now accessible online at the click of a button: you can log on from anywhere in the world.
On the programme: conferences and chats with the event's organisers and partners. Find out more about the programme.