A Revolution in Retirement Benefits for Micro-Entrepreneurs: What's New

Micro-entrepreneurs will see an improvement in their supplemental pension benefits thanks to an increase in their contributions. This measure, which will be implemented by this summer, applies to micro-entrepreneurs who are self-employed and enrolled in the general Social Security system.
 

A Gradual Increase in Contributions for “
” The current contribution rate of 21% will increase gradually over three years to reach just over 26% in January 2026. This increase in contributions follows a decision by the Council of State earlier this year, which overturned the contribution rate for the self-employed individuals in question on the grounds that it did not allow them to accrue rights to supplemental retirement benefits.
 

Who is affected by this measure?
This measure affects individuals who work in consulting, IT development, or marketing, as well as tour guides and translators. In total, 600,000 people registered under the microenterprise scheme who are currently employed and enrolled in the general social security system are affected.
 

Harmonization of contribution rates
Self-employed entrepreneurs who are not enrolled in the general Social Security system but are members of the Interprofessional Pension and Old-Age Insurance Fund (CIPAV)—the main pension fund for independent professionals—will also see an increase in their contribution rates. These entrepreneurs were already paying contributions for supplemental retirement benefits, but their contribution system will need to be aligned with that of other self-employed individuals. For these approximately 200,000 to 250,000 self-employed entrepreneurs affiliated with CIPAV, the contribution rate will increase by 2 percentage points, from just over 21% to 23%, starting this summer.
 

A Much-Needed Improvement in Social Security Coverage
For several years now, voices have been speaking out against the precarious social situation of micro-entrepreneurs. This status, created 15 years ago by Hervé Novelli to facilitate business start-ups, is linked to a simplified social security system. The rise of micro-entrepreneurs, driven by the growth of personal services, makes it imperative to improve social security coverage.
 

In conclusion, the increase in contributions for micro-entrepreneurs will allow them to accrue supplementary pension benefits and improve their social security coverage. This measure applies to self-employed micro-entrepreneurs affiliated with the general Social Security system, as well as those affiliated with CIPAV. The increase in contributions will be phased in over three years for the former and will rise by 2 points starting this summer for the latter. This measure addresses the need to improve social security coverage for micro-entrepreneurs, whose numbers are growing as the personal services sector expands.