And were you allowed to keep your S1{s?
Yes, no problem.This was 2010. Perhaps things have changed.
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This was discussed in Connexion recently. Here’s the link to the article - you should be able to read it without being a subscriber: Can I renounce French pension to obtain benefits of S1 health form?
Thanks, @Julia_Grange but cannot access the article.
@Sarah_Williams and @Julia_Grange
here’s a way to view the article… (I hope)
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Thank you @Stella 
As ever, the Connexion is not accurate. The ability for people on low incomes to apply for CSS is not just for those where France covers their health care. People on S1’s can now apply following negotiations after it was stopped last year.
And it is also delightfully vague
“We asked for confirmation that the UK allows someone who gives up a French pension right to claim an S1 or to remain covered under one. Official UK sources confirmed that this is a matter for France but people should take advice before potentially giving up an entitlement permanently.”
So room for enormous amount of regional and local interpretation. And since this article refers to views from Cleis plus DWP who else is there to take advice from!!
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Yep… one has to take the Connexion with a pinch of salt… 
… or a large glass of something… hic
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Agreed, the Connexion is full of inaccurate and vague reporting, claiming to be sourced from those who know 
I’m back into the thread and really appreciate the comments. They have been very helpful thank you everyone.
So things move on. Due to nasty neighbours we are selling up. We will, fingers crossed, move to a 3rd EU country. OH is EU country citizen. We see this as a positive and a new chapter of our life. Sometimes you need a kick up the bum to realise you need to keep moving forward, so no criticism of us leaving beautiful France please.
Pensions though. I have fully paid up UK pension just about to start. My work history us mostly in UK, but I have 12 yrs of French trimestres too giving a small but not inconsequential French pension which I haven’t yet claimed.
On here, a chap said that the 3rd country would look at where the most work was done rather than last work. Is this the case anyone? I’d rather my competent state be UK which pays most money, rather than France.
Secondly, a friend told me last week that UK deducts my french pension from the amount to only leave me the same total as UK pension. I had never heard that and having topped up to get a full UK, I was rather shocked. Any ideas?
TIA
Your friend is a wind-up merchant!
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I think like me, believing what people say. He was told by his French accountant. I found it difficult to believe and said that , but to be honest, I felt I had to check.
I second that.
I receive a full UK pension and also a French pension covering the 12 years I have worked here.
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Me too, UK state pension for years worked upto leaving for France and then three french pensions as it is where you work LAST OF ALL that is your competant state and mine, like Johnboy is in France plus we do not have a S1 because we are covered by the CPAM automatically. UK pension comes direct into my account here in euros and french ones paid direct each time too and all declared in relevent boxes and additional forms to the french fisc. I have absolutely nothing and have had nothing to do with any UK Tax business for 30 years of France.
Just to add to what others have said, that is complete b******s.
I have a French pension, having worked here for 16 years & have my UK one lined up for my 66th birthday next year, at full rate as I too paid a bit extra to qualify.
My wife already gets her French pension & UK pension with no penalty, unlike what you have been incorrectly told.
I think my friend was genuinely concerned, he wasn’t the protagonist. He like me, is completely at sea with the complexity of pensions. Personally I would prefer to come under UK auspice. And I have opted for my State to be paid into my UK bank account. However, if France has to be my competent state, then I’m stuck with it. I’ll get French state paid into a euro account
I just wanted out of the whole French system and say tata to France lock, stock and barrel.
I have loved it here over my 20 odd years, but circumstances change.
Take me with you!
! I feel your pain!
So you can only claim one and not all three? I’m a bit unclear about my own situation although I have a whole to go yet.
The competent state thing is about who pays for your state funded healthcare.
You can claim all the pensions from wherever you have qualified for one. As I’ve stated earlier, my wife draws a French & UK one, as I will also be doing in less than a year.