2023-07-23 19:14:21
The Solidarity Allowance for the Elderly (ASPA) is paid to retirees with low resources and living in France. The ASPA replaces the “minimum old age”, its amount varies according to resources (income and assets) and family situation. Here are all important information to understand the Solidarity Allowance for the Elderly.
What is ASPA?
The ASPA is an acronym for the Solidarity Allowance for the Elderly (formerly “Minimum Vieillesse”) which allows elderly people with low financial resources to have a minimum income. This monthly allowance is paid by pension funds to retired elderly people living in France. Elderly people who have not contributed a lot during their working life can thus benefit from a minimum income, or additional income at retirement, if they meet the eligibility conditions. The maximum amount of the ASPA is revalued each January 1st.
ASPA is not a retirement pension, because it is not financed by social contributions, but by the State, in the same way as the RSA, for example. The term “Minimum Vieillesse” is no longer used, although it remains in everyday language, because this allowance no longer exists.
Elderly people who do not come under the French insurance system can apply for SASPA, the Solidarity allowance application service for the elderly. This service is identical to the ASPA and concerns elderly people who are not entitled to a personal pension or a survivor’s pension.
Who can benefit from the Solidarity Allowance for the Elderly?
There are conditions to be able to benefit from the Solidarity Allowance for the Elderly:
- be over 65 (it is possible to have the ASPA before the age of 65 for combatants, deportees, internees or prisoners of war, or for certain disabled or handicapped persons under certain conditions);
- justify low income : €1,492.08 gross monthly for a couple (marriage, PACS or cohabitation) or €961.08 gross monthly for a single person (the income of the last 3 months is taken into account for the calculation of the ASPA and if it is too high, the income of the last 12 months is used);
- reside in France on a regular basis (having their permanent home or main place of residence in France, for example if you stay in France for more than 6 months per year);
- foreigners residing in France must have a valid residence permit authorizing work for at least 10 years, or be a refugee, or be stateless, or benefit from subsidiary protection, or have fought for France, or be a national of a member state of the European Economic Area, Switzerland or Great Britain, or be Algerian, Andorran, Beninese, Cape Verdean, Congolese (Republic of Congo), Gabonese, Israeli, Malagasy, Malian, Morocco ain, Monegasque, Senegalese, Togolese, Turkish or Tunisian (under certain conditions).
The figures show that 70% of ASPA beneficiaries are widowed, divorced or single women, because men’s pensions are generally higher than those of women (longer period of activity, more stable and higher salary).
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What is the amount of the ASPA?
The Solidarity Allowance for the Elderly is a differential allowance, ie it is calculated according to the beneficiary’s resources over time. So, the amount of the ASPA is decreasing according to the income of the person. The objective is to reach the maximum amount of the ASPA ceiling:
- 961,08 € monthly for a single person (€11,533.02 per year);
- 1 492,08 € monthly for a couple (€17,905.06 per year).
For example, €472.91 will be paid (ASPA) to a single person who has a retirement pension of €488.17 (472.91 + 488.17 = €961.08).
THE income taken into account by the ASPA are: property donated by the person (under certain conditions), alimony fixed by a court decision, invalidity pension, retirement pension, income from movable and immovable property (3% of the market value on the date of the request) and professional income with flat-rate deduction. In some cases, the Allowance for Disabled Adults (AAH) is taken into account in the calculation of the ASPA.
The ASPA is paid by the applicant’s pension fund (Carsat, MSA, etc.). It is paid from the 1st day of the month following the date of receipt of the request, at the earliest.
How to apply for ASPA?
You can apply for ASPA if you meet the age and residency requirements. Your ASPA application must be sent to your pension fund. Widowed persons can request ASPA from their spouse’s pension fund. If you are not yet in receipt of your pension, you must send your request to the fund which will pay you your retirement pension. If you are not entitled to a retirement pension, you must complete a specific form and send it to the social service of the town hall of your municipality.
The Cerfa form n°14957*01 to apply for ASPA can be obtained online (on the public service website, for example) or from your town hall.
In the event of a change (amount of your resources, place of residence or family situation) you must inform your pension fund. Namely that the sums paid for the ASPA can be recovered following the death of the person if the net assets of the estate are greater than or at least equal to €39,000.
The ASPA, the Solidarity Allowance for the Elderly, makes it possible toincrease the income of elderly people who have a small retirement pension or who have none at all. Its amount varies according to household income (single person or couple). Retirees over 65 who live in France and have low incomes can apply for ASPA at their pension fund.
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