Online simulator for French pension now works smoothly
Technical problems hit the launch of the system
The simulator then generates a list of the French pension funds to which the user has contributed
The government’s retirement simulator is now functioning smoothly after a 2016 launch marred by technical problems.
Hosted on a dedicated website, info-retraite.fr, it allows users, including non-salaried workers, to see how much they will receive in their monthly pension at varying retirement dates.
The longer people stay in work, the higher the pensions will be.
In addition, the simulator serves as a portal for completing the administrative procedures required when reaching retirement.
There are now 18.8 million accounts on the simulator, with two million created in 2025, according to Union Retraite, the public interest group set up to run the site.
It is only available in French.
System checks various pension funds
Anyone who has acquired pension entitlements through contributions to the French system is eligible.
Use of the simulator requires logging in through FranceConnect, the government’s online identification system. Users may be asked to confirm their social security number.
The simulator then generates a list of the French pension funds (caisses de retraite) to which the user has contributed.
By clicking on these, users can view their contribution history and check that both basic and supplementary pension contributions have been taken into account.
Some schemes allow users to buy back contribution periods or make additional contributions, which can increase the final pension amount.
Users can then choose between two simulation options: a quick estimate offering two possible retirement dates, or a more detailed version allowing them to select their preferred retirement date.
The simulator displays the estimated monthly pension amount but also prompts users to check that periods spent caring for children have been registered with their pension funds, as these can increase their final pension.
People who completed French national service may also qualify for additional pension entitlements.
If users aged over 55 find that some periods of employment have not been included in the simulator’s calculations, they can request that these be added.
The system then explains which supporting documents – usually payslips – must be provided.
How to increase your pension
For people who have not spent most of their careers in salaried employment, the simulator may produce relatively low pension estimates, reflecting a system in which long and stable contribution histories generally produce higher pensions.
One way of increasing retirement funds is through the plan d’épargne retraite (PER), a private pension savings scheme that has been open to all workers, including the self-employed, since 2019.
Available from most banks and insurance companies, contributions to these savings accounts can be deducted from taxable income (although social charges may still apply when funds are withdrawn).
However, some uncertainty remains over future government policy, following measures included in the latest social security budget to increase social security contributions by 1.4% and remove tax deductions for people aged over 70.
A further measure that prompted concern was a 2023 decision allowing PERIN (plan d’épargne retraite individuel) savings to be invested in non-listed companies, which are generally considered higher-risk investments than publicly traded firms.
Another way of increasing retirement income is by combining work with a pension – an approach that remains relatively new in France. It can increase both current earnings and future pension entitlements.
However, the government decrees needed to implement the measure have not yet been published, and Union Retraite said the option will only be added to the simulator once they come into force.
