French retirees lose pension boost after missing child quarter on record

A French retiree who worked an extra year hoping to gain a 5 % parental surcharge on the basic pension discovered that a missing child‑quarter on the retirement record nullified the entire increase. Under the 2023 pension reform, a 1.25 % boost per additional quarter worked between ages 63 and 64 can total up to 5 % if at least one child‑quarter is recorded. However, if the child‑quarter is absent, the surcharge is cancelled entirely. The system requires individuals to declare their children to the pension fund, and the omission often surfaces only at the liquidation stage, leaving many parents without the expected benefit.