Death benefit for private sector employees: €4,009, priority beneficiaries and deadlines for claiming it

The Social Security death benefit is a fixed sum of €4,009, regardless of the deceased's salary. It is exempt from income tax and social security contributions. The primary beneficiary, meaning the person who was dependent on the deceased, has one month from the date of death to claim it. Other beneficiaries have two years.

This page deals with the death benefit under the general social security scheme for a private sector employee, based on the information sheet from service-public.gouv.fr verified on April 1, 2026. It does not address the payment processing time after filing the claim, nor does it cover the self-employed, deaths abroad, or the situation of non-residents. It also does not provide the amount of any supplementary benefit provided by a collective agreement or a private insurance contract.

What is death benefit?

Death benefits are a financial aid paid by Social Security. According to the information sheet, they are intended to cover expenses related to the death and to provide financial support to those who were dependents of the deceased. The sheet describes them as a one-time payment. The amount is not based on the deceased's salary.

The amount is €4,009. The information sheet cites, in particular, articles L361-1 to L361-5, D361-1, R313-1 to R313-17, and R361-2 to R361-5 of the Social Security Code. Article D361-1 is entitled "Lump-sum death benefit from 2015 onwards." For a claim on a specific date, check the applicable amount on the service-public.gouv.fr website or with your social security office.

What is the situation for the deceased?

The right to the capital depends on the deceased's situation. Less than 3 months before their death, the deceased must have been in one of the following situations:

The information sheet adds that the capital can be paid if the deceased, at the time of death, was still entitled to benefits. It refers to a glossary for this term: your pension fund will tell you if it applies.

The information sheet links to other information sheets for two cases: the death of a civil servant, and the death of an employee following a work-related or commuting accident. These cases are not covered here.

Who can claim the capital: the beneficiaries

The sheet distinguishes two levels.

Priority beneficiaries

The primary beneficiary is the person who was "effectively, totally, and permanently dependent on the deceased on the day of their death." The information sheet gives an example: this is the case if you were not employed. It does not provide a more precise definition.

The application form is intended for any person dependent on the deceased on the day of death, whether or not they are related to him.

When several priority beneficiaries exist, the record lists them in this order:

1. the husband or wife, or the civil partner; ;
2. the children; ;
3. the ancestors.

If there are several beneficiaries of the same rank, for example several children, the form indicates that the death benefit is shared between them.

The other beneficiaries

If no priority beneficiary has claimed the capital within one month of death, the record indicates this order:

1. the spouse who is not separated, or the civil partner; ;
2. the descendants; ;
3. the ancestors.

The death benefit statement lists the spouse or civil partner, children or descendants, and ascendants. It does not list other categories, such as a cohabiting partner. The situation of a person not included in this list should be verified with the relevant fund.

The waiting periods: one month, then two years

A priority beneficiary who misses the month loses their priority status. The information sheet indicates that they can still come forward within the 2-year period, like other beneficiaries.

The approach

• The form. The application is made using the cerfa form for death benefit application, reference 10431*05 (S3180i).
• The recipient. Form F3005 indicates the CPAM or MSA to which the deceased belonged; the information sheet on form R1442 indicates the CPAM to which the deceased belonged. The organization to contact should be confirmed with the deceased's health insurance fund.
• The pieces. The form refers to the instructions for the list of documents to be attached. It does not provide details.

Taxation and contributions

The death benefit is not subject to income tax. It is not subject to social security contributions. The information sheet provides no further details on its tax treatment.

Combination and other forms of assistance

The information sheet indicates that the death benefit can be combined with other benefits. It cites as examples a survivor's pension or certain social assistance programs. It describes it as a one-time benefit that does not preclude the accrual of other entitlements.

The information sheet lists other forms of assistance in the event of death:

• survivor's pension; ;
• widow's allowance; ;
• assistance from pension funds or mutual insurance companies.

In the "Good to know" box of the fact sheet, a widow's or widower's pension is mentioned for the surviving spouse, under certain conditions (being disabled and under 55 years of age).

It also specifies that some collective agreements provide for a supplementary death benefit, which can be paid by the employer or a supplementary insurance provider. The information sheet does not specify the amount, the beneficiaries, or the conditions. This is a point to examine as soon as the claim is filed, with the employer or the supplementary insurance provider.

Numerical example (fictitious profile)

Situation. Thomas, a private sector employee, dies at age 52 while still employed (hypothetical). His gross salary is €54,000 per year, or €4,500 per month (hypothetical). His wife, Claire, is not employed and was dependent on him (hypothetical). They have two adult children who are independent (hypothetical).

Issue. Who is requesting the capital, within what timeframe, and what does it represent in relation to Thomas's salary?

Strategy. Apply the rules outlined in the information sheet. Claire was effectively, totally, and permanently dependent on Thomas, and she is his wife: she is the primary beneficiary and has one month from the date of his death to make a claim. The children, assumed to be independent, are not considered dependents in this example. If Claire did not make a claim within that month, she would lose her priority status, but she could still make a claim within the two-year period, like the other beneficiaries.

Result.

The capital sum is the same for both salaries, since the lump sum is not salary-dependent. It represents 0.89 months of Thomas's gross salary. The survivor's pension, any additional capital from a collective agreement, and other benefits are calculated separately: the information sheet indicates that the death benefit can be combined with other benefits, without specifying their amounts.

This profile is fictitious. The figures illustrate the calculation. They do not predict your situation.

What changes depending on your situation

• The deceased's situation in the 3 months prior to death : employee, unemployed person receiving benefits, work stoppage, annuity, disability pension, or maintenance of rights.
• Your status as a dependent : the form requires an effective, total and permanent charge on the day of death.
• Your relationship with the deceased spouse or civil partner, children, ascendants, or other situation to be checked with the fund.
• The date of your request : one month to maintain priority, 2 years in total.
• The status of the deceased Civil servant, work-related accident or commuting accident, self-employed, residence abroad are subject to other rules, not dealt with here.
• The collective agreement : some provide for an additional death benefit, paid by the employer or a provident fund.

The rule depends on your situation. No results are guaranteed.