Survivor's pension – conditions and how to apply
The survivor's pension gives the surviving spouse a share of the deceased's retirement. Rules and amounts differ widely by country. Here's an overview for France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
France: basic and complementary schemes
The basic scheme pays 54% of the deceased's pension if the survivor was married (PACS and cohabitation don't count), is at least 55, and stays below an income ceiling (€24,232 in 2026). Complementary schemes (Agirc-Arrco) pay 60% with no income test.
Belgium: survivor's pension and transition allowance
The married survivor receives the survivor's pension (~80% of the deceased's pension) from age 50 in 2026 (rising to 55 by 2030). Below that: transition allowance of 12–36 months. At least one year of marriage required, with exceptions. The Wegbegleiter app (wegbegleiterapp.com) covers edge cases.
Luxembourg and Switzerland
In Luxembourg, spouse or registered partner receives 3/4 of the deceased's pension – no age or income condition. In Switzerland, AHV pays a widow(er)'s pension of 80%. Widowers lose the right when the youngest child turns 18; widows keep it for life if they had a child or are over 45 with 5 years of marriage.
How to apply
Documents: marriage certificate, death certificate, tax notice, IBAN, deceased's career statement. Apply to the pension fund (Cnav, SFP, CNAP, cantonal AHV). In France the pension is not automatic – no application, no payment.
Frequently asked questions
- Do civil partnerships qualify?
- No in F and B; partly in L for registered partners.
- Minimum age?
- 55 (F), 50 (B 2026), none in L, gender-based in CH.
- Is it taxable?
- Yes, as pension income.
- What happens on remarriage?
- F: kept. B: lost.
Wegbegleiter – the app for difficult moments
The Wegbegleiter app (wegbegleiterapp.com) guides you step by step: checklists, letter templates and an encrypted emergency folder – free to start.