The “Family” component in Social Security is a crucial factor in a family’s ability to finance healthcare and education for their children. Family allowances are adjusted annually based on the family’s income, with increases in assistance if inflation causes rising prices, or reductions or even removal of aid if a family’s income becomes high.
To simplify the understanding of the complex and varied laws issued by the French government over the years, we illustrate them through the life story of Laurence, a French citizen, and her connection to Social Security in France, from her birth to her elderly years.
Childhood and Adolescence:
Born in 1960 as the second child, Laurence’s birth allowed her parents to receive family allowances before her birth and additional income, albeit modest, from family allowances, to assist in caring for their children in their early years when they couldn’t provide for themselves. Laurence was fortunate to have a healthy childhood, and her medical expenses were covered by the Social Security, so her parents didn’t have to bear the costs.
Active Family Life:
After reaching adulthood at 18, Laurence pursued a three-year degree, partially funded by various part-time jobs she took on as a student during her vacations. She later married Bernard and had their first child, Caroline, in 1985. This was Laurence’s first encounter with Social Security, as prenatal check-ups and childbirth-related allowances came into play.
Change in accommodation also provided an opportunity for the family to benefit from housing allowances. Caroline attended a daycare, and the family received subsidies to facilitate her social integration. The daycare system played a crucial role in enabling mothers to pursue professional activities.
Throughout her life, Laurence’s family experienced various options for childcare:
1. Sending the child to daycare, where trained caregivers take care of children aged 0-3.
2. Employing a babysitter who comes to the family’s home.
3. Sending the child to a certified child caregiver’s home.
In 1988, Laurence and Bernard had their second child, Nathan. Bernard initially considered taking a year off work to care for the children, but the bank found it easier to grant a loan when both spouses worked. Although they lost family allowances, they could still receive housing allowances as first-time homebuyers.
Caroline began her university studies in Paris in 2008, entitling her to student housing allowances. In 2010, Laurence received a statement of her career path from Carsat, showing that her intermittent odd jobs from 35 years ago were counted as quarters in her pension calculation. In total, with her children’s upbringing, she gained 16 additional quarters, allowing her to retire earlier than expected.
In 2010, a pension reform law raised the retirement age from 60 to 62. In 2012, Laurence’s father passed away. Over the years, he had suffered from a chronic illness, and the expenses were covered by long-term disease insurance (ALD: Affection de longue durée). His widow, Laurence’s mother, received a pension as an heir, calculated based on her husband’s multiple insurance policies.
In 2015, on her 55th birthday, Laurence received an indicative global estimate (EIG: Estimation Indicative Globale) encompassing various components of her pension. This document summarizes her career and all contributions paid during her working years. EIG is given to those over 55 years, allowing them to estimate their retirement age and benefits.
These aspects of Laurence’s life showcase the intricate relationship between individuals and the French Social Security system, emphasizing the importance of family allowances and various financial support mechanisms throughout a person’s life journey.