Hi there
Does anyone out there know how people who have retired to france early and on a small private pension go about claiming free health care which we have been advised to do?
We came here with our eyes open, having done our research before we left the States. We knew we would not qualify for temporary S1s so arranged private health insurance until my husband reached 65.
I somewhat resent the implication that 30+ years is somehow not a large enough NI contribution. And, my husband actually corrected me, he paid in from age 17, closer to 35 years.
We did not come to France to work but to retire at a slightly earlier age than the state retirement ages.
I have not read all the posts, but I had experience of this when we stayed in France for two years. If you go to France before retirement do not waste any time in contacting DHSS and the CPAM. You will, no doubt have to talk to several people in both departments before sorting everything out. The length of time the S1 will give you will depend on your NI contributions in the UK. I had 30, my husband 44. We both got French green health cards but mine was for 9 months, his for 2 years BUT these had been back dated to when we left the UK about 4 months prior to receiving the card. If you have any problems with one person (e.g. you need something translated) contacted the same office again and you will get a different answer. I ran with the answer I wanted.
We took out accident insurance as soon as we arrived in France as my husband was building our house; we used the EHIC card (or would have done if necessary); we had no top up insurance but I had a minor operation and paid for the accommodation (3 nights, room to myself 95€) and that % not covered; when my card ran out I managed to get myself another card, this time as my husbands spouse - despite quite a few "not possible"s; finally we took out private health insurance for 3 months before returning to UK. When we return to France it will have to be full private health insurance until my husband retires.
On the contrary Tracy,
EU member, healthcare in country of residence within the EU equal to that of the native country.
Lucky breaks…I wish.
But if you need to get free healthcare then you haven't invested, saved and planned enough!
I am 2 years away from 50, have worked hard all my life and haven't got a cat in hells chance of retiring then. Why should I, as a self employed person pay 45% of my net profits into the health system so people who have undoubtedly worked hard but possibly had a few more more lucky breaks than me, retire early and then say, oh dear, I can't afford healthcare!
Not having a go at you Bill, you asked an innocent question but Anne made a fair point and bully you for you Martin, if you have 'done your bit'. Maybe I should also give up work and claim I have done my bit now I am 50 and tough ti--ies to the rest of society, I'm claiming whats rightfully mine for free whether I need it or not!
Ouch. There speaks a lady who carries the sword of lifes disappointment.
We both retired at 50, qualified for healthcare by way of an S1, invested to support a MOD and Teachers pension and feel that we have contributed sufficiently to society. You are, I’m sure, aware that as Britain and France are both EU members, we, should all enjoy benefits as we would in our native country. http://www.connexionfrance.com/news_articles.php?id=4665.
Please don’t shout down at those who invest, save and plan for early retirement.
One Life. Live it.
Good advice Brian, and it shows the minefield of detail that any system employs; however presumably you did qualify for free health cover during your 3 years in the UK when you did not pay NI, in which case you really you haven't lost the 2 years that the S1 would have given you in France. Just my opinion.
Brian, We were in a similar situation, despite paying in for 30+ years, we had spent 10 years in the States immediately prior to moving to France. No S1s for us until husband reached 65 last year. Have to say, the whole process went smoothly once we did receive the S1s. We had our attestations in 3 1/2 months. Still waiting for the cartes vitales, but that’s another story.
Bryan that is terrible luck. We timed it to the day my oh retired and hence had entitlement. What have you done - taken pot luck or paid for a private insurance?
We are in St Lary Ariege not far from Castillons and about .5 km from the Haute Barons border. Very small mountain village. We are next to the Auberge - would love to see you Chris and anyone else nearby as well. Can arrange to have rocking horses, rocking motorbikes and rocking tractors delivered to loved ones in the UK as well. Anyone interested please email me direct
Apologies Catherine - that was what I meant
I lived in France for about fourteen years and paid all my taxes and social security payments up to the time I left France.
As such, I have a green card. Do I have to apply for a new green card if I return to live in France to live and can I claim any pension that I paid when I lived in France ? I have been back in the UK just ten years.
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Christmas is coming... where is your shop, Lesley?
Lesley,
Sounds as if you’re doing all you can, best of luck with the business in the run up to Christmas.
Just a small comment, none of us automatically become French citizens after 5 years. At that point you can start that process if you wish, which can take 3-5 years more. We do attain permanent residency status.
There is a proposal out there which will end such cover for early retirees. Only in the consultation stage at present, but it will come so "early retirees" will have to make arrangements for private health cover or enter the French system via the AE route - for as long as this is available!
http://consultations.dh.gov.uk/overseas-healthcare/migrant_access/supporting_documents/Sustaining%20services%20ensuring%20fairness%20consultation%20document.pdf
Yes we are selling and should do well in the lead up to Xmas and will happily pay my cotisations on what we earn. We sell hand made ethically sourced toys games and gifts. Shop is in our house so we have no extra costs other than buying the stock and has proved to be a fabulous asset to our village ' everyone loves what we are selling and we keep getting congratulated by everyone. Love doing it too so all good. We won't make a fortune but i will be an official tax paying member of the community from now on and it is of benefit to both of us as only so much 'rest and relaxation' is good for me - I need to focus on something and actually do something as would go mad with no focus in my life other than enjoying myself - only so much of that possible!!!
Bill,
We are in a similar position. We are 53 and 51 retired early and currently in the system with an S1.
My OH is convinced that if we take out full insurance when the S1 runs out we will have, in the current climate, problems joining the system as it will be perceived that we can afford to have full insurance. On a bad day I can see the sense in her thought pattern.
Lesley, as an AE don’t you have to show a set level of income to qualify? I was lead to believe this was the case due to the number of “Bogus” companies that had started.
The system doesn’t seem to be consistent. I went to CPAM Nice at the beginning of July with my documentation to be told that I did have to get my birth certificate translated. I then had to submit it along with the original. Yes I was given a temporary number but as yet no request for a photo and no sign of my carte vitale
Chris you are very fortunate that your wife is just that few years older than me. because the wonderful UK have changed the age for women to receive their state retirement pension to their 66th birthday. I am young enough to have inherited the 6 years loss of state pension [I am 57 this month] They have written to us to confirm that both my husband and I will not receive our state retirement pensions untill we are each 66 years old.
All our original retirement plans had been based on my state and private pension kicking in on my 60th birthday, I and many many thousands of others for ever more have had the equivalent of well over £38,000 income and benefits in kind [such as free prescriptions in the UK, being part of the social security system on my 60th birthday and receiving the benefits according to whatever country I live in, winter fuel allowance etc etc] removed by the kind and caring UK Government.
We came to live here permanently in March this year so will have to manage somehow untill we have 5 years residence which will take me to 61.5 years old - my husband will be just 61- before we are fully recognised as French citizens . My UK private pension fortunately kicks in when I am 60 so at least we will have that and till then we are living on savings and my husband's Local government pension. We have set up a small gift shop in the house and registered me as an auto-entrepreneur and seem to be doing ok at present with Xmas approaching but can guarantee no additional income from that in the post christmas months untill the tourists return. At least that effectively means i am now paying social charges and therefore am now officially part of the French system so long may that last altho if they reduce the length of time you can be an auto-entrepreneur as is proposed then I am back at square 1 again. Oh what fun!