This is the amount a retired person who has never worked in his life will receive

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In a context where many elderly people live with limited resources, the Solidarity Allowance for the Elderly (Aspa) presents itself as an essential aid but often unknown to the population. According to our colleagues at Le Figaro, this allowance can be particularly beneficial for those who have never worked and who find themselves in a precarious financial situation.

1& nbsp;516 euros on average

According to the Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (Drees), the average amount of pensions in France is 1,516 euros gross per month, or 1,398 euros net. This represents an increase of around 1.5% compared to 2020.

These figures hide significant disparities between the different affiliation schemes. Retirees from the liberal professions or the civil service receive higher pensions than those affiliated to the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA), for example. In addition, women continue to receive pensions that are 40% lower than those of men, which highlights the persistent (and shocking) inequalities in the pension system.

The Aspa is important for people who have not had the opportunity to work in their lives and it guarantees them vital financial support. This solidarity mechanism is accessible to retirees living in France with limited resources. To benefit from it, you must apply to the town hall or the Social Action Center (CCAS) of your municipality.

The eligibility conditions include being over 65 years old, having your main residence in France, and not exceeding an income ceiling set at 1,571.16 euros per month for 2024.

Concrete case

Our colleagues at Figarotook the example of Judith, a French woman who will turn 65 in October 2024. She has devoted her life to raising her two children without ever working. Her husband, Pascal, who is the same age, receives a pension of €1,600 gross per month.

For Judith to benefit from the Aspa, their combined income must remain below the threshold mentioned. Income is assessed over the 3 months preceding the application with a reduction applied: below a certain amount, income is not taken into account in the calculation of the Aspa. This reduction corresponds to 1.5 times the minimum wage, or approximately €2,650.38 in this example. So, if Pascal received 4,800 euros gross over 3 months, after deducting the allowance, their total monthly income would be 716.54 euros. In this case, Judith could receive an allowance of 854.62 euros per month to supplement their resources.

Since Aspa is non-contributory assistance, it is not subject to social security contributions, which makes it an attractive option for those who have not worked in their lives. The maximum amount of the Aspa for a single person is 1,012.02 euros per month. However, it is alarming to note that – according to a note from Drees – around 50% of single people eligible for the minimum old-age pension in 2016 did not claim this aid. This represents a total of more than 300,000 people who could claim it.

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