{"id":350,"date":"2026-01-29T19:33:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T18:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/?page_id=350"},"modified":"2026-08-26T18:35:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T16:35:12","slug":"assurance-vie-francaise","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/nos-solutions\/assurance-vie-francaise\/","title":{"rendered":"French assurance-vie"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00abAlexis, I have savings sitting idle in my Livret A savings account, but with inflation, I\u2019m losing purchasing power. People are talking to me about life insurance, but I don\u2019t want to tie up my money for 8 years. Is it really the \u00abSwiss Army knife\u00bb everyone\u2019s talking about?\u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This question is the starting point for many of the strategies we build at <strong>Balmont Conseil<\/strong>. In France, life insurance is not simply a financial product; it is a true institution worth more than 1,900 billion euros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mission of Balmont Conseil and its <a href=\"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/ingenierie-patrimoniale\/\">wealth engineering<\/a> AI-enhanced solutions help you navigate this complex world and transform a tax-efficient structure into a growth engine for your projects. Whether you&#039;re planning for retirement, protecting your loved ones, or optimizing your estate planning, French life insurance offers unparalleled flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. What is French life insurance and how does it work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Assurance-vie is a <strong>financial investment<\/strong> in the medium and long term. Contrary to a persistent misconception, <strong>your money is never locked up<\/strong>. You can perform a <strong>partial buyout<\/strong> or a <strong>total buyout<\/strong> at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The contract mechanism<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A life insurance contract is an agreement by which the insurer undertakes, in return for the payment of <strong>bonuses paid<\/strong>, to pay a lump sum or a <strong>life annuity<\/strong> to the insured or his <strong>contract beneficiaries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, two main structures are distinguished:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Single-premium life insurance:<\/strong> Composed exclusively of a <strong>euro funds<\/strong>. The capital is guaranteed, but the return is limited. They have become rare to subscribe to.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multi-support life insurance:<\/strong> This is the current standard. It allows you to allocate your savings between the euro fund (security) and the <strong>units of account<\/strong> (stocks, bonds, real estate, private equity) to seek higher performance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. The two driving forces behind your contract: Euro Fund and Unit-Linked Funds<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To choose the right contract, you need to understand what&#039;s &quot;under the hood&quot;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Euro Fund: Security first<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">THE <strong>euro funds<\/strong> is the historical asset. The insurer guarantees the capital: you cannot lose your initial investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Euro fund returns:<\/strong> After a period of low interest rates, returns have rebounded. In 2024-2025, the best funds are showing between <strong>2.50 % and 4 %<\/strong> (depending on collection bonuses).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ratchet effect:<\/strong> The interest generated each year is permanently acquired.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Units of Account (UC): The engine of performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">THE <strong>units of account<\/strong> represent a <strong>diversification of investments<\/strong>. Unlike euro funds, their value fluctuates both upwards and downwards depending on the financial markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Investment vehicles:<\/strong> You have access to equity funds, SCPIs (real estate), ETFs (trackers) or even thematic funds (artificial intelligence, energy transition).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Financial risk:<\/strong> The insurer guarantees the number of shares, but not their value.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Tax and estate planning advantages: Why is it unbeatable?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taxation is the main argument for life insurance in France. It is assessed in two ways: during the life of the contract and at the time of inheritance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A decreasing tax rate on gains<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The &quot;tax clock&quot; starts on the day of signing. The older the contract, the less tax is levied on gains upon withdrawal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Before age 8:<\/strong> The gains are subject to the PFU (Single Flat-Rate Levy) of 30 % (12.8 % of tax and 17.2 % of social security contributions).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>After 8 years:<\/strong> You benefit from\u2019<strong>tax breaks<\/strong> annual income tax on earnings (\u20ac4,600 for a single person, \u20ac9,200 for a couple). Above this threshold, the tax rate drops to 7.5% (plus social security contributions).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>An exceptional wealth transfer tool<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Life insurance is considered &quot;outside the estate&quot;. It allows you to pass on capital to whomever you want (even without a family relationship) with very light taxation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>For payments made before age 70:<\/strong> Each beneficiary can receive up to <strong>\u20ac152,500 tax-free<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>After 70 years:<\/strong> The allowance increases to \u20ac30,500 for all beneficiaries, but the interest generated by these premiums is totally exempt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Management methods: How to manage your contract?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not everyone is a financial expert. Life insurance offers... <strong>wealth management options<\/strong> tailored to each profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Self-Management:<\/strong> You choose your own investment vehicles. Reserved for experienced investors who wish to maintain control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Managed (or Profiled) Management:<\/strong> You delegate the selection of funds to experts based on your risk profile (conservative, balanced, or aggressive). This is the ideal solution for most savers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Discretionary Portfolio Management:<\/strong> Often accessible from \u20ac10,000 or \u20ac50,000, a professional manager will manage your contract in a personalized way.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. How to choose the best life insurance? Selection criteria<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Balmont Conseil, we analyze dozens of contracts according to strict life insurance selection criteria for our clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Expenses: The number one enemy of performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fees on payment:<\/strong> Avoid them. The best contracts (especially the <strong>online brokers<\/strong>) display <strong>0 % entry fee<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Management fees:<\/strong> They must be between 0.5 % and 0.8 % per year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Arbitration fees:<\/strong> Opt for contracts where they are free.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The quality of the financial offer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A good contract should offer an open architecture, meaning a wide choice of investment units from different management companies, and not just those from the bank that sells you the contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Performance History<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although past performance is not indicative of future results, the historical performance of the euro fund over the last 5 years is an indicator of the insurer&#039;s strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Overview of key players and specific offerings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The French market is vast. It comprises three main types of players:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Traditional banks:<\/strong> Reassuring offers, but often with high fees and a limited choice of investment options.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mutual insurance companies (MACSF, GMF, etc.):<\/strong> Often excellent euro funds, but sometimes a more limited offering in unit-linked funds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Online brokers and pure players (Lanterne, Linxea, etc.):<\/strong> These are often the <strong>best life insurance<\/strong> of the market because they offer 0 % entry fees and high-performance digital tools.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Balmont Conseil Expertise: Beyond Investment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choosing life insurance is not an end in itself. It is a tool to serve a strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the house of <strong>Balmont Conseil<\/strong>, We use life insurance to address <strong>wealth management options<\/strong> complexes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Retirement savings:<\/strong> Create <strong>regular supplemental income<\/strong> through planned buybacks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Estate planning optimization:<\/strong> Drafting a split beneficiary clause to protect the spouse while passing on assets to the children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Moderate risk investment:<\/strong> Use structured products or real estate funds within the contract to seek returns without the risk of pure stock market volatility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQ: Your questions about French life insurance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Q1. Can I have multiple life insurance policies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, it&#039;s even recommended! This allows you to diversify insurers, take advantage of different euro funds and compartmentalize your objectives (one contract for retirement, one for children).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Q2. Is my capital locked in for 8 years?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. That&#039;s a common misconception. The money is available at any time. The 8 years simply refers to the tax maturity period for benefiting from the maximum tax allowances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Q3. What happens if the insurer goes bankrupt?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In France, the Personal Insurance Guarantee Fund (FGAP) guarantees your assets up to \u20ac70,000 per insured person and per company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Q4. Can I convert my capital into an annuity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, most contracts include an option for a lifetime annuity payout. The insurer then pays you a sum every month until your death, in exchange for relinquishing your capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Q5. Is life insurance subject to the IFI (Real Estate Wealth Tax)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only the portion of your contract invested in real estate funds (SCPI, OPCI, SCI) is subject to the French wealth tax (IFI). Euro funds and financial unit-linked funds are exempt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion: Take control of your long-term savings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">French life insurance remains the indispensable foundation of any <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/gestion-de-patrimoine\/\">wealth management<\/a><\/strong>. Its ability to adapt to all profiles \u2014 from the most cautious to the most daring \u2014 and its exceptional tax treatment on the <strong>inheritance<\/strong> making it a tool without equal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the proliferation of offers and the complexity of the media require an expert eye to avoid hidden fees and underperforming media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ready to optimize your investments?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Schedule an appointment with Alexis Sagnier for a free audit of your current contracts or a tailor-made recommendation.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00ab Alexis, j&rsquo;ai de l&rsquo;\u00e9pargne qui dort sur mon Livret A, mais avec l&rsquo;inflation, je perds du pouvoir d&rsquo;achat. On me parle d&rsquo;assurance vie, mais je ne veux pas bloquer mon argent<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":69,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-350","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=350"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/350\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1454,"href":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/350\/revisions\/1454"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/69"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}