Phased retirement in France: is my employee application ready?

01

Can I apply for phased retirement from age 60?

The age threshold is 60 for pensions taking effect from 1 September 2025. It is separate from the final retirement age for your birth cohort. The required 150 quarters cover insurance periods and recognised equivalent periods across compulsory basic schemes.

Check the official career record. This threshold does not establish a full-rate or complete pension. Early-retirement benefits, certain special activities or a retirement payment used to maintain pay can require a separate exclusion review.

Sources: CSS D161-2-24 · CSS R161-19-5 · Service Public F12842

02

How does my work percentage affect the pension fraction?

For an ordinary private employee, work must represent 40 to 80% of the applicable full-time schedule. The regulation rounds the percentage to the nearest whole number, counting a half as one. Use the percentage checked against the contract and certificate, not a percentage of salary.

The theoretical pension fraction is 100% minus the total work percentage: 60% work corresponds to 40% of the provisional pension calculated by the fund. This is not 40% of former pay. No euro pension amount is inferred from earnings here.

The tool covers one ordinary private hourly contract and a 2026 project. Public service, self-employment, annual day packages, multiple employers, household employment and special statuses require their own review. An unsupported result does not mean those workers have no right.

Sources: CSS R161-19-6 · CSS D161-2-24-3 · Assurance retraite

03

How do I ask my employer for reduced hours?

If a reduction is needed, send a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt stating the planned hours and effective date, at least two months before that date. If qualifying part-time work is already in place, prepare the existing contract and employer certificate.

The employer has two months from receipt to reply by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt and give reasons. Without a written, reasoned reply within that period, agreement is deemed acquired. A refusal must explain incompatibility with the business’s economic activity, including continuity of operations or recruitment difficulties.

Keep the request, delivery proof and response. This tool authenticates neither the records nor agreement arising from silence. A refusal or uncertain receipt remains a review point.

Sources: Code du travail L3123-4-1 · Code du travail D3123-1-1

04

Which records should I prepare for the pension fund?

The 2026 regulation requires contracts effective when the pension starts, a supported declaration on honour of no other professional activity, an employer certificate specifying full-time hours, and payslips for the twelve calendar months before filing. Check validated quarters on the career record as well.

Organise preparation around five months before the project date and check the Info Retraite filing window. Assurance retraite recommends filing five months before; Service Public describes opening at the earliest five months before. The date shown is a preparation milestone, not a statutory forfeiture deadline.

The shared application service forwards the request to the relevant funds. They examine rights and calculate the provisional pension. Five listed records present does not mean admission; the fund must confirm the effective date.

Sources: CSS R161-19-7 · Service Public F12842 · Assurance retraite