France clarifies how military service counts toward retirement pension quarters

France explains that periods of military service can be credited as pension quarters. Under the rule, 90 days of service equal one validated quarter. For men born before 1970, a one‑year service period could provide up to four quarters; the service length was reduced to ten months in the late 1990s, limiting credits to three quarters for those born in 1970 or later. The recent re‑introduction of a voluntary eleven‑month service raises the same question for future retirees.

These credited quarters may also be included in a "career‑long" scheme, potentially allowing an earlier retirement, but exact implementation will depend on forthcoming regulations.