By the way, from what monthly income do you stop receiving a “small pension” ?

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The term often comes up in political debates or street interviews. Millions of French people have to survive on a “small pension”. But when do we consider that we are no longer receiving a small pension ?The thresholds are clearly defined: 1,352 euros per month for a single person and 2,100 euros for a couple. Beyond these amounts, we no longer talk about a small pension. These figures include all pensions received, whether they come from basic or supplementary schemes, from the public or private sector.

This official definition, however, masks a more complex reality. Because behind these thresholds lie very diverse situations, with retirees who sometimes struggle to meet essential expenses: feeding themselves, heating themselves, taking care of themselves or simply maintaining a minimum social life.

A range of aid to support the most modest

Faced with this situation, the State has set up several systems to support retirees with modest incomes. The minimum contribution constitutes the first line of defense. This automatic system, accessible to members of the general Social Security scheme, guarantees a minimum income that varies according to the length of contributions. In concrete terms, a retiree who has contributed less than 120 quarters will receive at least 715.15 euros gross per month, while this amount rises to 857.15 euros for those who have contributed more.

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Farmers, who mostly pay themselves small salaries during their careers, also have access to assistance. The MSA (Mutualité Sociale Agricole) provides a minimum reference pension set at 85% of the net minimum wage, or €1,177.03 since January 2024. This measure concerns both non-salaried agricultural workers and farm managers and their collaborating spouses.

Other, more complex systems

Beyond these basic systems, a whole ecosystem of assistance supplements the income of low-income retirees. Housing benefits (APL, ALS, ALF) are often an essential supplement to keep a roof over their heads. ASPA, better known by its former name of “minimum vieillesse”, can also be used to supplement the lowest pensions.

For people who are losing their autonomy, the APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance) helps cover the costs associated with dependency. Disability situations are taken into account via the ASI (Supplementary Disability Allowance). Finally, the Complementary Health Solidarity, which replaced the CMU-C and the ACS in 2019, helps cover medical costs.

Access to this assistance is not always automatic. While some are paid directly by pension funds as soon as the conditions are met (in particular obtaining a full-rate pension), others require active steps with organizations such as the CAF. A resource ceiling also applies: for the minimum contribution for example, the total pension must not exceed 1,394.86 euros net monthly.

• A “small pension” is officially defined as less than 1,352 euros/month for a single person or 2,100 euros for a couple
• The minimum contribution guarantees between 715.15 and 857.15 euros depending on the contribution period
• A wide range of additional aid exists: APL, ASPA, APA, ASI and Complementary health solidarity

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