Retire Abroad

France operates a multi-pillar pension system requiring coordination between regimes. The 2023 pension reform raised the legal retirement age progressively to 64 by 2030, with taux plein (full pension without reduction) requiring enough trimestres (quarters of contribution) - rising to 172 quarters (43 years) for those born after 1973. Age 67 provides automatic taux plein regardless of quarters. Begin preparation 1-2 years before retirement by checking your relevé de carrière at info-retraite.fr to verify all employment periods, unemployment, military service, and maternity leave are recorded - report any missing periods to Assurance Retraite. Request an EIG (Estimation Indicative Globale) showing projected pension amounts from all regimes. The retraite de base (state pension) calculates based on your best 25 years of earnings up to the social security ceiling, while retraite complémentaire (Agirc-Arrco for private sector employees) uses a points system accumulated throughout your career. Submit your demande unique de retraite (unified retirement application) at info-retraite.fr 6 months before your chosen date - this single application covers all regimes. Notify your employer with required notice per your contract or convention collective. Post-retirement, your Carte Vitale continues providing seamless healthcare access. Pensions are taxable income subject to prélèvement à la source with a 10% deduction available. Cumul emploi-retraite allows working while receiving pension once you've liquidated all pensions, with varying rules. Carrière longue provisions allow earlier retirement if you started working young.