TN 1 (07-99)
Although France pays many different categories of benefits, this section describes only the retirement, disability and survivors benefits. These are the only French benefits included within the scope of the agreement.
The eligibility requirements for French retirement, disability and survivors benefits are shown below.
Eligibility requirements for French retirement benefits are as follows:
Worker
Age 60
At least one calendar quarter of coverage
Spouse - No provision. However, a supplement may be payable to a worker with a dependent spouse.
Divorced Spouse - No provision.
Child - No provision. However, a supplement may be payable to a worker with a dependent child.
Eligibility requirements for French disability benefits are as follows:
Must be 100% disabled for total disability benefit or at least 66% disabled for a partial disability benefit,
Must have at least 12 months of coverage, and
Must have 800 hours of work during the 4 calendar quarters before the disability began (including 200 hours during the 4th quarter before the disability began).
Spouse - No provision.
Child - No provision.
French survivors benefits may be paid to survivors if the deceased worker had at least one quarter of coverage. The survivor must meet the following requirements:
Widow(er) - At least age 55 or disabled, and not remarried.
NOTE: If the widow(er) is under age 55 and not disabled, a small income-tested allowance is payable for 3 years provided the worker was covered during the 3 months before death.
Divorced widow(er) - Same as widow(er).
Lump-sum death benefit - A one-time payment may be paid to survivors if the deceased worker had some recent coverage.
Advise individuals that SSA cannot give official information about French benefits. Refer those individuals who want official information to the following address:
Social Security Center for Migrant Workers 11, rue de la Tour des Dames 75436, Paris Cedex 09 FRANCE