Death & Survival Benefits Guide: Pensions, Compensation & Eligibility
Death and Survival Benefits
Assistance for Death
This benefit helps beneficiaries who covered funeral expenses. Unless proven otherwise, expenses are presumed to be borne by the surviving spouse, then children, then relatives living with the deceased.
Amount: 30.05 euros
Widow’s Pension
Eligibility requirements include marriage, judicial separation, or divorce. In some cases, cohabitation may qualify. If the deceased was a worker, they must have contributed 500 days within 5 years prior to death (for common illness). Pensioners require no contribution period. No prior contribution is needed if death resulted from an accident (work-related or not) or occupational disease.
Amount: 52% of the deceased’s base pension (effective from 01/01/1904). This increases to 70% if the pensioner meets these conditions throughout the pension period:
- Has dependents (children under 26, incapacitated adults, or foster children living with them. Disability is defined as 33% or greater).
- The family unit’s income (including the pension) divided by the number of members does not exceed 75% of the minimum wage (excluding bonuses).
- The pension is the primary or only income source (exceeding 50% of the pensioner’s total annual income).
Orphan’s Pension
Children of the deceased are eligible, regardless of legal status. Children of the surviving spouse (married for two years before the deceased’s death, lived at the deceased’s expense, and not entitled to another pension) may also qualify. Relatives obligated and able to provide support under civil law may also be eligible.
At the time of death, children must be:
- Under 18
- Or older with reduced work capacity due to permanent disability or long-term illness (20% of base salary).
Family Pension
This applies to grandchildren, siblings, mother, grandmother, father, and grandparents of the deceased who meet specific requirements. A pension granted to permanently disabled or retired children or siblings over 45 at the time of death requires proof of long-term care for the deceased and lack of personal means.
Eligibility requires:
- If the deceased was a worker, they must have been enrolled in Social Security and contributed 500 days in the 5 years preceding death (for common illness).
- The applicant must have cohabitated with the deceased for at least two years before death and been financially dependent on them. They must also not be entitled to another public pension and have no means of subsistence or family support.
Amount: 20% of the base pension, increasing to 52% if there’s no surviving spouse or eligible children. The base is calculated by dividing the sum of 24 continuous months of contributions within the last 7 years by 28.
Special Compensation for Death by Work Accident or Occupational Illness
This lump sum is given to the widow/widower, orphans, or parents.
- Spouse: 6 months of the base salary (calculated as for the survivor’s pension). If the deceased was receiving a permanent disability pension, the compensation is 6 months of that pension.
- Orphans: One month’s base salary. If no spouse is eligible, the 6-month compensation is divided among the orphans.
- Parents: If not eligible for a family pension and dependent on the deceased, they receive 12 months’ payment (if both are alive) or 9 months (if only one parent is alive).