Pension reductions and increases: how to calculate the effect on your basic pension

The reduction lowers your basic pension if you retire before age 67 without the required number of quarters: the rate of 50 % is reduced by 0.625 points per missing quarter, up to a maximum of 20 quarters, resulting in a minimum rate of 37.5 %. The increase does the opposite: if you retire after the minimum age with more quarters than required, each additional full calendar quarter worked increases your pension by 1.25 %.

This page deals with the basic state pension. It does not cover supplementary pensions, the child-related pension increase, the effect of the child-related increase on the maximum pension, the situation of people residing abroad, or special schemes.

The framework in 2026

According to the Social Security Financing Act for 2026 (Law No. 2025-1403 of December 30, 2025), the increase in the legal retirement age and the required contribution period is suspended until 2028. The benchmarks below apply to pensions taking effect from September 1, 2026.

A full pension is a pension granted without any reduction. You receive it between the legal retirement age and 67 if you have the required number of quarters of contributions, or at 67 regardless of the number of quarters you have.

The discount: how it is calculated

The discount is a reduction applied to the basic pension amount. It is applied to the rate, not the final amount.

1. Count two gaps. The first is the number of quarters remaining until you reach age 67 on your retirement date. The second is the number of quarters you are short of the required contribution period for your generation.
2. Choose the smaller of the two. The result is rounded up to the next whole number.
3. The limit is 20 quarters.
4. Reduce the rate. The rate of 50 % loses 0.625 points per quarter retained.

This rate then replaces the rate of 50 % in the pension formula, as presented in sheet F21552 of service-public.gouv.fr: average annual income × rate × (your insurance period in the Retirement Insurance ÷ insurance period to obtain a full rate pension).

Each quarter credited reduces the pension rate by 0.625 points. For an average annual income of €38,400, this amounts to €240 of annual pension per quarter, before the effect of the quarter ratio.

The example of the official record

A person born on July 1, 1964, retires on July 1, 2027, at age 63, with 159 quarters of contributions out of the required 170. They are 16 quarters short of the required number of quarters until age 67 and 11 quarters short of the required number of quarters. The smaller of these 11 quarters is used. The rate is 43.125 %.

When there is no discount

There is no reduction in benefits at age 67. Certain situations also entitle individuals to the full pension rate before age 67, such as a long career, disability, or incapacity. These conditions are not discussed here.

The bonus: how it is calculated

The pension bonus applies to insured individuals who retire beyond the minimum retirement age with more quarters of contributions than required for a full pension. Each additional full calendar quarter worked increases the pension by 1.25 times.

Only full calendar quarters following the one in which you reached the minimum age are taken into account.

The example of the official record

A person born on April 15, 1965, has, at age 63, the required 171 quarters. They continue to work until June 30, 2029. Their pension record shows 2 quarters from July 1 to December 31, 2028, and then 2 quarters in 2029. Their pension is increased by 5 % (4 × 1.25 %).

After age 67: the increase in the insurance period

According to fact sheet F32128, the insurance period is increased by 2.5 times % for each quarter worked beyond age 67. This increase applies provided that, at age 67, the individual does not have the required number of quarters to qualify for a full pension.

Example from the official document: with 160 quarters of contributions at age 67, while 170 are required, a quarter worked after age 67 increases the insurance period by 4 quarters (160 × 2.5 %), i.e., 164 quarters (160 + 4). This page does not calculate the resulting pension: the formula applicable after age 67 should be verified with your pension fund.

Numerical example (fictitious profile)

Situation. Sophie was born on October 1, 1964. Her legal retirement age is 62 years and 9 months, and the required number of quarters for her generation is 170. She can retire on October 1, 2027, at age 63, with 166 quarters of contributions. Her average annual income is €38,400. All her quarters are covered by the French national retirement insurance system. This data is based on hypothetical assumptions.

Issue. What does it cost him to retire at 63, compared to retiring a year later with 170 quarters of contributions?

Strategy. Apply the two-difference rule, then the formula from sheet F21552, for each date. Assumptions: she validates one quarter per quarter worked, and her average annual income remains the same.

• Retiring at age 63: he is 16 quarters short of the required 170 quarters until age 67. The smaller difference is taken into account: 4 quarters. Rate: 50 % − (4 × 0.625 %) = 47.5 %.
• Retirement at age 64, on October 1, 2028: she has 170 quarters of contributions, therefore no reduction. Rate: 50 %.

Result.

The difference is €1,389.18 per year, or €115.76 per month. The reduction accounts for €960 (4 × €240), and the ratio of quarters of contributions accounts for €429.18. In this scenario, retiring at 63 also provides a year of pension benefits (€17,810.82) during which retiring at 64 does not.

This calculation is a hypothetical example. It does not take into account supplementary pension benefits, income tax, pension increases, or the impact of an additional year of work on your average annual income. The amounts are gross. The profile is fictitious and does not reflect your actual situation.

Regarding the premium, in figures. For a basic pension of €19,200 before any increase, a 5% supplement (%) adds €960 per year: €20,160. Each quarter adds €240. This page does not address the basic pension ceiling in this case.

What changes depending on your situation

• Your year of birth : it sets the legal age and the required duration.
• Your departure date The further away she is from 67 years, the more the age gap weighs.
• Your actual quarters : career record to support, all schemes combined.
• Your particular situation : long career, handicap, disability, incapacity.
• Your other plans and your supplementary pension : not covered here.

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