SMIC and Pensions 2026 in France

The gross hourly SMIC in France as of January 2026 stands at EUR 11.88, up 1.3 percent from 2025, giving a net monthly salary of approximately EUR 1,426 for a 35-hour week. Pensions were also revalued by 1.7 percent in January 2026, and the ASPA minimum old-age allowance now reaches EUR 1,034.28 per month for single retirees and EUR 1,605.73 for couples.

> **Key takeaways**

> - Gross hourly SMIC 2026: EUR 11.88 (net around EUR 1,426 per month for 35h).

> - ASPA minimum: EUR 1,034.28 single / EUR 1,605.73 couple per month.

> - RSA single adult: EUR 635.71; AAH maximum: EUR 1,016.05 per month.

> - Basic pensions revalued by 1.7 percent on 1 January 2026.

> - All amounts confirmed by INSEE and Service-Public.fr for 2026.

SMIC 2026: the new minimum wage in France

The SMIC (salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance) is revalued every 1 January based on inflation observed by INSEE for the lowest 20 percent of households. The 2026 revaluation produced a 1.3 percent rise, lifting the gross hourly rate to EUR 11.88. For a full 35-hour week, this represents EUR 1,801.84 gross per month, around EUR 1,426 net after social contributions.

An extraordinary mid-year SMIC rise is possible if inflation exceeds 2 percent against the January reference level. Employers cannot pay below this floor for adult workers; reduced rates only apply to apprentices and certain training contracts under conditions set by the Code du travail on Legifrance.

Pension revalorization 2026

All basic pension schemes (general scheme, agricultural, self-employed, civil service) were revalued by 1.7 percent on 1 January 2026, in line with the consumer price index excluding tobacco. Complementary Agirc-Arrco pensions follow a separate calendar - their next revaluation is scheduled for 1 November 2026 based on the Agirc-Arrco board decision.

Pensions remain taxable as income, but retirees benefit from a 10 percent deduction capped at EUR 4,321 per year for 2026 (see impots.gouv.fr for current ceilings). Low-income retirees may qualify for tax relief or full exemption depending on their reference taxable income.

Other social minima updated in 2026

The 1.7 percent revaluation also lifts other social minima paid through CAF and MSA:

**ASPA** (minimum old-age allowance): EUR 1,034.28 / month for a single person, EUR 1,605.73 for a couple.
**RSA** for a single adult: EUR 635.71 / month; with one child: EUR 953.56.
**AAH** (disabled adult allowance): up to EUR 1,016.05 / month.
**ASS** (unemployment solidarity allowance): EUR 570.72 / month.
**Social Security ceiling (PASS) 2026**: EUR 46,368 per year, EUR 3,864 per month.

The Agirc-Arrco service point value for 2026 is set at EUR 0.1416. For the full set of figures, see Service-Public.fr and the INSEE data portal.

The 2023 reform: what still applies in 2026

The 2023 pension reform progressively raises the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 and the contribution period required for a full-rate pension to 43 years (172 quarters). In 2026, the legal age for the 1963 birth cohort is 62 years and 9 months, and continues to rise by 3 months for each later cohort.

The reform also kept the long-career provisions (carriere longue) - those who started working before age 16, 18, 20 or 21 can still leave earlier if they meet the required quarters. The Agirc-Arrco bonus/penalty system for retiring at exactly the legal age is also still active.

Impact on purchasing power

The 1.3 percent SMIC rise and 1.7 percent pension revaluation come against a backdrop of inflation that the Banque de France projects between 1.5 and 2 percent for 2026. For low-income retirees and minimum-wage workers, this means roughly stable real purchasing power, with some upside if energy prices remain contained.

Households on social minima may also benefit from the energy check, the family allowances 2026 changes and the RSA, AAH and APL adjustments scheduled for April 2026.

Useful tools to plan ahead

**Mon compte retraite** on info-retraite.fr - official career and pension estimate.
**Simulateur SMIC net** on Service-Public.fr - checks gross-to-net for the current SMIC.
**CARSAT regional offices** for personalised retirement appointments.

For broader changes effective this spring, see our what changes in March 2026 overview.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the next SMIC increase be?

Automatically on 1 January each year, following INSEE inflation figures. An extraordinary mid-year increase can be triggered if inflation rises more than 2 percent from the January reference level.

Are pensions taxable in France?

Yes - pensions are taxed as income. Retirees benefit from a 10 percent deduction capped at EUR 4,321 per year for 2026 (impots.gouv.fr). Low-income retirees may benefit from tax relief or be exempt.

Can I work while receiving a pension?

Yes. The cumul emploi-retraite system generally allows it; income from work is taxable and since 2023 new contributions may generate additional pension rights when the second-career conditions are met.

What if I contributed in several EU countries?

Under EU coordination rules, periods of work across EU member states are aggregated for full-rate eligibility. Each country then pays the share corresponding to its own contribution period.

What is the Agirc-Arrco point value in 2026?

EUR 0.1416 per service point for the 2026 service period, as published by Agirc-Arrco.

Where can I get an official pension estimate?

Through your personal space on info-retraite.fr or by appointment with your CARSAT regional office. Service-Public.fr lists the relevant procedures.

Sources

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. For your personal situation, please consult Service-Public.fr or a qualified professional. Updated 28 May 2026.

SMIC and Pensions in 2026: What You Need to Know