Understanding Retirement Benefits for Moroccan Workers in France
In the intricate realm of retirement benefits, Moroccan workers who have spent substantial time in France face a unique situation, particularly when they have contributed to pension systems in both countries. After a decade of labor in Morocco and two decades in France, the retirement benefits are divided between two pension funds. For instance, a worker with a reference income of 4,000 dirhams in Morocco and 2,000 euros in France could expect a monthly pension amounting to 1,926 dirhams and 471 euros gross, respectively. This calculation underscores the importance of understanding the bilateral agreements that dictate how pensions are calculated and distributed across borders.
The agreement on social security between France and Morocco facilitates the rights of employees who have transitioned from one country to another. Under this convention, each pension fund evaluates the pension based solely on national contributions and then compares it to a pension that considers the total career duration. Ultimately, the fund disburses the higher amount, although each pension is paid separately, adding a layer of complexity for retirees.
Pension Calculation for Moroccan and French Workers
To illustrate the process, consider a worker born in 1963 who is set to retire at the age of 67. This individual would have accrued twenty fully validated years in France, equivalent to 80 quarters of contributions. For individuals from this generation, a total of 170 quarters is necessary to qualify for a full pension. At 67 years old, the French pension calculation rate automatically reaches 50%. However, the pension amount is still proportional to the quarters validated in the French system. With an average annual salary adjusted to 24,000 euros, or 2,000 euros per month, the pension formula results in: 2,000 × 50% × 80/170 = 470.59 euros gross monthly, which we can round to 471 euros. It is important to note that this figure represents only the base French pension; additional benefits may be available through the Agirc-Arrco supplementary pension scheme, depending on the points accumulated.
In parallel, the Moroccan pension system, represented by the CNSS (Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale), operates under different parameters. Assuming the CNSS has recorded 3,120 days of insurance, equivalent to ten fully reported years, and considering a reference salary of 4,000 dirhams, a specific decree outlines a proportional rate applicable to days contributed for careers lasting less than 3,240 days. The calculation for Morocco follows as: 50% × 3,120/3,240 = 48.15%. When applied to the 4,000 dirhams, this results in a national pension of 1,926 dirhams per month. The CNSS also takes into account the average salary from the last 96 months reported to determine the pension amount, provided that the duration of insurance allows for it.
Significantly, starting from May 2025, the CNSS will also enable pension rights after just 1,320 days of insurance, with minimum pension amounts ranging from 600 to 1,000 dirhams based on the duration of contributions. For those with 3,120 days of contributions, the minimum pension is set at 1,000 dirhams, which is below the calculated amount from our example. Thus, our simulation indicates a base French pension of 471 euros and a national Moroccan pension of 1,926 dirhams. The pension funds will still need to apply the comparison as stipulated by the agreement to finalize the amounts, and individuals can opt to claim their pensions at different times.
To ascertain their personal rights, insured individuals are encouraged to consult their statements on the Info Retraite platform, verify their reported days with the CNSS, and initiate the pension liquidation process through the appropriate authorities in their country of residence.
As reported by bladi.net.
