Agirc-Arrco survivor's pension: 60 % of the deceased's rights, without means testing

The Agirc-Arrco survivor's pension is equal to 60% of the deceased's supplementary pension entitlements. It is awarded regardless of income, provided the surviving spouse is or was married to the deceased. For deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2019, it is granted from age 55, with two exceptions. Civil partnerships (PACS) and cohabitation do not confer any entitlement. Remarriage terminates the pension.

This page deals with the reversion of supplementary pensions for private sector employees, for a death from 1 January 2019 onwards. It does not deal with earlier deaths, nor with special rules relating to marriages prior to 13 January 1998, nor with the situation of people who reside abroad, nor with reform projects.

«"Without a ceiling": what that means

The statement is accurate on one specific point: there is no means test. The Agirc-Arrco page dedicated to survivor's pensions indicates that, unlike the state pension, the pension is awarded "without means testing".

This does not mean that the amount is unlimited. It is calculated based on the deceased's points, with a rate of 60 %.

The income thresholds for the general scheme are those listed on the service-public.gouv.fr website, verified on January 1, 2026, which does not specify the year to which they apply. This scheme is discussed on a separate page.

The conditions

Marriage, and marriage alone

Cohabitation and civil partnerships do not entitle the surviving spouse to a survivor's pension. The length of the marriage has no bearing on the entitlement itself. A couple who have been in a civil partnership for twenty years has no entitlement to this pension.

The age of 55, and its exceptions

For deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2019, the pension is granted from age 55. There is no age requirement in two cases: you had two dependent children at the time of death, or you were recognized as disabled, either at the time of death or later.

Remarriage

In the event of remarriage, the pension is not awarded. If it was already being paid, it is permanently discontinued.

The calculation: 60 % of the deceased's points

The Agirc-Arrco fact sheet dated September 2024 gives the gross annual amount as follows:

Gross annual amount = 60 % of the deceased's points × current Agirc-Arrco point value

The number of points awarded does not include any potential child-related bonuses, this document specifies. It indicates that these bonuses are reversible to 100% of the % pension, subject to certain conditions. These conditions are not detailed here and should be verified with Agirc-Arrco.

The value of the point: a dated value

• The service-public.gouv.fr fact sheet verified on January 1, 2026 sets the service value of the point at €1.4386.
• On October 14, 2026, a revaluation of +1.4 % of supplementary pensions on November 1, 2026 was decided.
• The same source indicates that the purchase value of the point "has not yet been set." No new service value is published.

The value of €1.4386 is therefore that of January 1, 2026. Before any calculation for your situation, check the value in effect on the date of the calculation.

If the deceased had been married several times

The pension is shared between the surviving spouse and the former spouse(s), proportionally to the duration of each marriage, subject to specific rules for marriages prior to January 13, 1998, and depending on the circumstances. For example, the Agirc-Arrco website states that a spouse married before January 13, 1998, receives a full pension, provided that the deceased person's previous marriage was dissolved before July 1, 1980. The September 2024 information sheet details other cases, including that of a single former spouse. These rules are not repeated here and should be verified with Agirc-Arrco.

When the pension takes effect

It takes effect on the first day of the month following the death, provided you meet the eligibility requirements on that date. If the deceased received their pension quarterly or annually, specific rules apply.

The demand

The Agirc-Arrco page dedicated to the process indicates three ways: online, in the personal space, by telephone with a retirement advisor, or by mail with the paper form to be sent to the Agirc-Arrco Reception Centre.

The number of requests depends on the method chosen. For online requests, this page states: "Only one request is sufficient, regardless of the deceased's situation." For telephone requests, it states: "Several requests are necessary, regardless of the deceased's situation." For mail-in requests, confirm with Agirc-Arrco whether requests to other pension schemes are required.

The information sheet on service-public.gouv.fr concerning survivor's pensions also indicates that if the deceased was receiving a pension from one or more pension funds not listed on the single application form, particularly Agirc-Arrco, it provides for an application for a supplementary survivor's pension from that fund. Confirm with Agirc-Arrco the procedure to follow for your case.

The deadline

The Agirc-Arrco website's page on survivor's pensions states: "The application must be submitted within twelve months of the death or the date on which the eligibility conditions are met." For a late application, it limits the retroactive payment: "This retroactive payment covers a period of one year, if the eligibility conditions were met at that time." The page describing the process does not specify a deadline. Submitting the application without delay avoids this issue.

Taxation

The information sheet on service-public.gouv.fr regarding pension declarations, verified on April 15, 2026, indicates that survivor's pensions paid by mandatory supplementary pension schemes must be declared for income tax purposes. It also states that a 10% allowance applies to the total declared amount of pensions and annuities for the tax household, with a minimum of €454 per pensioner and a maximum of €4,439 per tax household. Social security contributions are not addressed here: please verify these with official sources.

Numerical example (fictitious profile)

Situation. Claire, 58, is the widow of Julien. They were married. Julien had accrued 6,000 Agirc-Arrco pension points (hypothetical profile). Julien had not been married before and did not receive any child-related pension supplements (hypothetical). Claire is employed, with an annual salary of €60,000 (hypothetical).

Issue. Does his salary prevent him from receiving a pension, and what is the basic annual gross amount of the survivor's pension?

Strategy. Apply the formula from the record: 60 % of the deceased's points, multiplied by the point value. Salary is not included in the formula, as there is no means test. The point value used is that of the record verified on January 1, 2026, i.e., €1.4386; it is subject to change after November 1, 2026.

Result.

The monthly amount is simply a division by 12, not a payment rule. The €60,000 salary doesn't change this calculation. If Claire and Julien had been in a civil partnership and not married, the alimony would be zero. If Claire were to remarry, it would no longer be paid.

This profile is fictitious. The amounts are gross. The example does not take into account child allowances, taxes, or the November 1, 2026 adjustment. It illustrates the calculation; it does not predict your situation.

What changes depending on your situation

• Your relationship status married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting. Only marriage entitles you to this pension.
• Your age and your children : 55 years in principle; no age requirement with two dependent children at the time of death or in case of disability.
• The deceased's points They set the amount.
• The marriages of the deceased : in the case of several marriages, the pension is shared proportionally to their duration, subject to special rules for marriages prior to January 13, 1998 and depending on the case.
• The date of death : this page only deals with deaths from 1 January 2019 onwards.
• The value of the point : that in force on the date of calculation.
• The general scheme : his own survivor's pension follows other rules, including an income ceiling.

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