The survivor's pension reform planned for 2026 could shake up the rights of surviving spouses. This measure, which aims to harmonize the rules between different pension plansraises many questions. What will be the major changes? How could these new provisions impact your rights?
This article aims to shed light on these essential points, in order to help you anticipate and better understand the challenges of this reform. Stay informed and prepare for possible changes that could affect your future financial situation.
Survivor's pension: valuable help for surviving spouses facing changes in 2026
The survivor's pension, intended to ensure financial continuity for the surviving spouserepresents part of the deceased's retirement rights. It is granted under specific conditions, in particular age and resources, for the beneficiaries. Currently, nearly 4.4 million people in France benefit from this pension, essential for many households.
However, developments are planned for 2026initiated by the Retirement Orientation Council (COR) as part of a review of the reversion policy which aims to make the system more equitable.
COR's proposals for a reform of the survivor's pension
The Retirement Orientation Council (COR) was tasked by the government withexamine the terms of the survivor's pensionin particular its granting to surviving spouses.
Among his proposals, the COR recommends extending this pension to cohabitees and civil partnersa measure aimed at harmonizing family rights and the conditions for granting this pension.
Currently planned for 2026the implementation of this reform could be modified depending on the financial analyzes of its cost. The COR insists on the need to conduct an in-depth study of the economic and social implications of these proposals, and to launch a real political debate to assess the impacts before their final adoption.
Calculation of the survivor's pension: disparities depending on the pension schemes
The survivor's pension rate varies depending on the pension scheme. For private sector employeesit is set at 54% of the basic pension, while for supplementary retirementthe rate rises to 60%.
Civil servants, for their part, benefit from a rate of 50%. However, to receive the pension of a deceased spouse affiliated to the general dietan income ceiling must be respected, set at €24,232 per year for a single person in 2024.
These disparities highlight the limits of the current system and the need for reform to ensure fairness between all beneficiaries.
