Survivor Pension for a Thai Spouse: Conditions and Procedures

Introduction

When a French retiree living in Thailand passes away, the surviving spouse often faces not only grief but also a sudden drop in household income. The French pension system provides a mechanism to partially offset this loss: the pension de reversion, or survivor pension.

For Thai spouses of French nationals, this benefit can be a vital financial lifeline. However, the application process involves specific conditions, administrative requirements, and paperwork that can be challenging to navigate from abroad. Our pension and retirement assistance service supports families through every step. This guide walks you through everything you need to know.

What Is the Survivor Pension?

The survivor pension is a portion of the deceased's retirement pension that is paid to the surviving spouse. In France, it consists of two main components:

Basic Pension (Regime General / CNAV)

The surviving spouse receives 54% of the deceased's basic retirement pension. This is managed by the CNAV (Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Vieillesse) or the relevant CARSAT (Caisse d'Assurance Retraite et de la Sante au Travail).

Complementary Pension (Agirc-Arrco)

For the complementary pension, the surviving spouse receives 60% of the deceased's Agirc-Arrco pension points. This applies to former private-sector employees who contributed to the Agirc-Arrco complementary scheme.

Together, these two components can represent a significant portion of the deceased's former pension income, providing essential financial stability for the surviving spouse.

Who is eligible for the French survivor pension?

Not every surviving partner qualifies for the pension de reversion. The following conditions must be met:

Legal Marriage Required

The surviving spouse must have been legally married to the deceased. This is the most critical requirement. Civil partnerships (PACS) and cohabitation do not qualify, regardless of the duration of the relationship. Only a legally recognized marriage, whether celebrated in France, Thailand, or another country, establishes eligibility.

For marriages celebrated in Thailand, the marriage must have been registered at the Amphur (district office) and subsequently transcribed into the French civil registry.

Minimum Age

For the basic CNAV pension, the surviving spouse must be at least 55 years old at the time of application. There is no minimum age requirement for the Agirc-Arrco complementary pension, though conditions may vary.

Resource Ceiling (Basic Pension Only)

The basic survivor pension is subject to a resource ceiling. As of 2026, the surviving spouse's annual personal resources must not exceed a specific threshold (approximately 23,000 EUR for a single person). Resources from the deceased's estate and certain other income are excluded from this calculation.

The Agirc-Arrco complementary pension is not subject to a resource ceiling.

No Requirement of French Nationality

Importantly, the surviving spouse does not need to be French. Thai nationals who were legally married to a French pension recipient are fully eligible.

How do you apply for the survivor pension from Thailand?

Applying for the survivor pension from Thailand requires submitting a paper application by mail, as there is currently no fully online process available for spouses who do not have a French Social Security number.

Where to Send Your Application

The application must be sent to:

CARSAT Centre-Val de Loire CS 13 999 37039 Tours Cedex 9 France

This CARSAT office handles pension files for French nationals residing abroad.

Required Documents

Prepare the following documents for your application:

1. Completed application form (Cerfa form for pension de reversion)
2. Death certificate of the deceased (Thai certificate translated and legalized, plus French death certificate if available)
3. Marriage certificate translated into French by a certified translator and legalized or apostilled
4. Identity document of the surviving spouse (passport copy)
5. Bank account details (RIB for a French account, or international bank details with SWIFT/BIC code)
6. Proof of resources (bank statements, income declarations)
7. Copy of the deceased's last pension notification (if available)
8. Certificate of life (certificat de vie / certificat d'existence)

All Thai-language documents must be accompanied by a certified French translation. We strongly recommend sending your application by registered mail with tracking.

No Online Portal for Non-French Social Security Holders

If the surviving Thai spouse does not have a French Social Security number (numero de securite sociale), they cannot access the online pension portals such as lassuranceretraite.fr or agirc-arrco.fr. The entire process must be handled by paper mail, which makes careful document preparation even more important.

Once the file is processed and a pension number is assigned, the spouse may be able to create an online account for future correspondence.

What Happens If the Surviving Spouse Remarries?

Remarriage has different consequences depending on the pension component:

Agirc-Arrco Complementary Pension

Remarriage results in the permanent loss of the Agirc-Arrco survivor pension. If the surviving spouse remarries, the complementary pension is terminated and cannot be reinstated, even if the new marriage ends.

Basic CNAV Pension

The rules are more favorable here. The basic survivor pension is maintained even in case of remarriage, provided the resource ceiling conditions continue to be met. This is a significant distinction that surviving spouses should understand before making personal decisions.

Annual Certificate of Life

Once the survivor pension is granted, the recipient must submit a certificate of life (certificat d'existence) each year to prove they are still alive. Failure to submit this document results in the suspension of pension payments, typically within two months of the deadline.

The certificate can be signed by:

• The French Embassy or Consulate in Thailand
• A local authority (Amphur or Khet office)
• An honorary consul
• Through the mobile app "Mon certificat de vie" (available since June 2024)

We have published a separate detailed guide on the certificate of life process in Thailand. We recommend reading it for practical tips on where and how to complete this requirement.

Multiple Ex-Spouses: How Is the Pension Shared?

If the deceased was married multiple times, the survivor pension is prorated among all eligible surviving ex-spouses based on the duration of each marriage relative to the total duration of all marriages.

Example

• The deceased was married to Spouse A for 10 years and Spouse B for 20 years
• Total marriage duration: 30 years
• Spouse A receives 10/30 (one-third) of the survivor pension
• Spouse B receives 20/30 (two-thirds) of the survivor pension

This proration applies automatically. If one eligible ex-spouse does not claim their share, it does not transfer to the other spouses; it simply remains unallocated.

Processing Time and Payment

The processing time for a survivor pension application from abroad is typically 4 to 6 months, though delays can extend this if documents are incomplete or require additional verification.

Once approved, the pension is paid monthly and can be deposited into:

• A French bank account
• A Thai bank account (international transfer)

Many beneficiaries find it practical to receive payments into a French bank account and then transfer funds to Thailand using services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) for favorable exchange rates and low fees.

How Siam Visa Services Can Help

The survivor pension application process can be daunting, particularly for a Thai spouse navigating French administrative procedures, language barriers, and postal correspondence across continents. If the deceased also held assets in Thailand, our guide to inheritance for a French national in Thailand covers the succession procedures in detail. Our team assists with:

• Gathering and organizing all required documents
• Certified translations of Thai documents into French
• Legalization and apostille procedures
• Preparing and reviewing the application before submission
• Follow-up with CARSAT on the file status
• Annual certificate of life assistance

We treat every case with the sensitivity and discretion it deserves, helping families secure the financial support they are entitled to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Thai spouse receive the survivor pension without speaking French?

Yes. There is no language requirement. However, all application documents must be in French. Our translation and assistance services bridge this gap.

How soon after the death should I apply?

There is no strict deadline, but we recommend applying as soon as possible. The pension can be backdated, but only for a limited period (typically 12 months before the application date for the basic pension).

Is the survivor pension taxable in Thailand?

French pensions paid to residents of Thailand are generally taxable in France under the France-Thailand tax treaty. However, the survivor pension may fall below the French tax threshold depending on the amount. We recommend consulting a tax advisor for your specific situation.

What if the marriage was only a Thai ceremony without civil registration?

A traditional Thai wedding ceremony without civil registration at the Amphur is not recognized as a legal marriage. Only a legally registered marriage qualifies for the survivor pension.

Can I receive both a Thai pension and a French survivor pension?

Yes. Receiving a Thai pension or other Thai income does not disqualify you from the French survivor pension, though your total resources are considered for the basic pension's resource ceiling.

What is the CNAV help line for pension inquiries?

You can reach the CNAV international line at +33 9 74 75 76 99. Operators are available during French business hours and can provide information on your file status.