Infographics. Minimum old-age pension in Lorraine: half of those who could receive it do not apply.
Is the minimum old-age pension a burden for retirees and their successors? Currently, some heirs are required to repay this assistance upon the beneficiary's death. This solidarity allowance for the elderly (ASPA) is at the center of a bill being debated in the House of Commons starting this Thursday, June 5. It aims in particular to remove the primary residence from the inheritance tax. According to the DREES (French Regional Directorate for Economic and Social Affairs), one in two single people eligible for ASPA do not claim it.
-en-2023-photo-lionel-vadam-1749053079.jpg)
More than 18,000 Lorrainers received the Aspa or the supplementary old-age allowance (ASV) in 2023. Photo Lionel Vadam.
Repaying the assistance received by a deceased relative? This is the situation facing many heirs when the deceased's assets, after deducting personal debts, outstanding charges, and funeral expenses, exceed €107,616 and they receive the elderly allowance (ASPA). Except that currently, the value of the primary residence is included in the calculation. But this rule could change with a bill tabled by MP Émeline K/Bidi (Democratic and Republican Left). She particularly wants to remove this primary residence from the calculation.
50% of single people eligible for the minimum old-age pension do not use itBut between this fear of inheritance, the lack of information, and complex procedures, many potential ASPA beneficiaries do not take advantage of it. According to the latest estimates from the Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation, and Statistics (DREES), this concerns one in two single people. For expected amounts less than €100 per month, this non-take-up rate rises to 77%.
But then, who actually receives this aid in Lorraine?
This content is blocked because you have not accepted cookies and other trackers.
By clicking on "I accept" , cookies and other trackers will be placed and you will be able to view Flourish content ( more information ).
By clicking on "I accept all cookies" , you authorize the deposit of cookies and other tracers for the storage of your data on our sites and applications for the purposes of personalization and advertising targeting.
You can withdraw your consent at any time by consulting our data protection policy . Manage my choices
What is the difference between ASPA and AVS?
Elderly Persons Allowance (ASPA)
The ASPA guarantees a minimum income to seniors aged 65 or from the legal retirement age in the event of incapacity or disability. Introduced in 2007, it replaces the various minimum old-age benefits, including the ASV. It is awarded subject to stable residence in France and capped income (€1,034.28 gross per month for a single person and €1,605.73 for a couple in 2025) .
Supplementary old-age allowance (ASV)
The ASV is a component of the old minimum old-age pension and is reserved for beneficiaries who received it before 2007, unless they choose to switch to the ASPA . It is an income supplement subject to conditions of resources and residence in France. Unlike the ASPA, it is not recoverable from inheritance, but its payment is less advantageous.
According to the latest available data, more than 18,000 Lorrainers received the ASPA or the supplementary old-age allowance (ASV) in 2023, representing 3.1% of the population aged 62 and over. This rate rises to 3.5% in Meurthe-et-Moselle and 3.2% in Meuse. These proportions are lower than the national average of 4.2%.
Across France, the DREES estimates that an ASV recipient receives an average of €440 per month and €500 for Aspa.
This content is blocked because you have not accepted cookies and other trackers.
By clicking on "I accept" , cookies and other trackers will be placed and you will be able to view Flourish content ( more information ).
By clicking on "I accept all cookies" , you authorize the deposit of cookies and other tracers for the storage of your data on our sites and applications for the purposes of personalization and advertising targeting.
You can withdraw your consent at any time by consulting our data protection policy . Manage my choices
But what is their profile? "At the end of 2022, minimum old-age pension recipients were 73.7 years old on average," according to a DREES report on retirees. In Lorraine, single people are overrepresented (7 out of 10 beneficiaries). Women also account for 59% of recipients, compared to 56% nationally.
This content is blocked because you have not accepted cookies and other trackers.
By clicking on "I accept" , cookies and other trackers will be placed and you will be able to view Flourish content ( more information ).
By clicking on "I accept all cookies" , you authorize the deposit of cookies and other tracers for the storage of your data on our sites and applications for the purposes of personalization and advertising targeting.
You can withdraw your consent at any time by consulting our data protection policy . Manage my choices
Beneficiaries of this minimum old-age pension receive low pension amounts, particularly due to short careers marked by disability or incapacity for work.
What are the ASPA reimbursement conditions?
- The net worth of the deceased's assets must be greater than €107,616 in mainland France and €150,000 overseas . This corresponds to the sum of the deceased's assets after deduction of personal debts, outstanding charges and funeral expenses.
- The amount that the State can recover is capped at €8,387.93 per year for a single person and €11,221.78 for a couple .
- Heirs are not required to repay the ASPA from their own assets. If the net assets of the estate do not cover the entire recoverable amount, the State cannot demand payment of the balance from the heirs.
- The State has five years to recover the aid from the inheritance.
Le Républicain Lorrain
