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A Highly Protective Social Security System By Milena Radoman

Monaco’s social security system (Caisse de Compensation des Services Sociaux) boasts a flourishing
social protection system. One of its special features is that it is financed solely by employers.

Out of chaos sometimes comes light... France. As a result, complementary health
That’s how the Caisse de Compensation des insurance costs employees less, since it THE CCSS IN FIGURES
Services Sociaux (CCSS), the cornerstone of reimburses less...”. Technically, all employees - Overall, procedures, reimbursements
Monaco’s social protection system, came into benefit from social security cover calculated for days spent in hospital, fees,
being at the end of the Second World War. on the basis of their income. medicines, etc. amounted to €160
Barely liberated from the yoke of the Germans Our collective bargaining agreement prohibits million in 2022/23.
on 3 September 1944, before France the or tightly limits the possibility of overcharging
Principality introduced cover for health, old for 75% of the insured population, so - All family benefits, daily sickness,
age, life and family risks with the Law of 27 guarantees free and equal access to all disability and death benefits,
September. Monaco then adopted a system healthcare facilities. Under the new medical maternity/paternity leave, amount to
clearly inspired by the compulsory French agreement effective from April 2023, 50% of €125 million.
social security system for all workers drawn insured people are be covered by the green - Family allowances are payable for
up by the Conseil National de la Résistance social security card (standard rates), 25% each dependent child. The monthly
(CNR), the body which, from 1943, federated by the pink card (20% higher than standard amount ranges from €166.40 (0-3
all the resistance movements hostile to the rates), and 25% by the buff card (no rate years) to €345.50 (over 10 years).
Vichy government and it drew up a political cap). All medicines are reimbursed at 80%
programme for liberated France. At the time, or even 100% when payment from the patient - The back-to-school allowance ranges
the Confédération Générale des Travailleurs is exempted”, they add. The only problem is from €145 (0-3 years) to €304 (over
de Monaco, which later became the Union of that the Monegasque social security funds 10 years).
Monaco Trade Unions (USM), campaigned for do not generally offer direct payment from a - Each month of pregnancy preceding
this system of compensation, according to third-party. But while France is preoccupied the presumed date of childbirth shown
which “social security needs must be offset by by the gaping hole in its social security on the maternity record entitles the
the social contribution paid by the employer”. system, Monaco does not need to apply the mother to one month’s antenatal
same restrictions as in France to save on allowance. The amount is equal to
A reimbursement rate of 80% healthcare costs. If a drug is removed from the family allowance paid for a child
Funded solely by employer contributions, the list of approved medications in France, under the age of three, i.e. €166.40.
the CCSS provides income in the event of it will also be delisted in Monaco, which
sickness, maternity, disability and death, as doesn’t have its own list. However, if a drug - An education allowance is paid
well as reimbursement of medical expenses is partially removed in France with reduced for children aged 5 or over on 31
and family benefits. These include prenatal rates, this reduction is not applied in Monaco. December. The amount varies
and family allowances, school attendance According to the Trade Union, the CCSS could according to the class attended and
bonuses, exceptional back-to-school nevertheless go further. “Admittedly, medical the place of schooling. For example,
allowances, end-of-year bonuses and crèche cover and reimbursements are better than in for a child in Year 12 of nursery school,
and day-care vouchers. “Family allowance our neighbouring country, but let’s not forget the allowance is €79 in Monaco and
benefits are not means-tested, unlike in that for those who cannot afford to live in €43 in France. For the final year of
France” explains Bertrand Crovetto, Director Monaco, Monegasque social security cover secondary school, the allowance is
of the CCSS. “Monaco is one of the only will end when they retire. These employees €377, regardless of where the child
countries in the world where employees do living outside Monaco will then be referred to attends school.
not pay any social security contributions, the French CPAM - Primary Health Insurance
with the employer paying the balance. This Fund. At the time when they need it most, i.e. - For sick leave, the amount of the
increases the net pay”, point out Cédrick when health problems begin on average (55 daily allowance is equal to 50% of
Lanari and Jean-Luc Cloupet, President to 70 years of age)”, explain Olivier Cardot and the average gross salary received by
and Honorary President of the Fédération Bruno Augé, who dream of seeing Monaco the employee over the previous 12
des Syndicats de Monaco (F2SM), who are introduce “100% social security cover for months, up to the limit of the salary
well aware of the advantages of the scheme: everyone, regardless if they are residents on which contributions were paid.
“Family allowances are granted from the first or not”. However, it may not exceed half of
child and are proportional to needs, which the CCSS contribution ceiling, which
st
evolve according to the age of the child. In Lower employer contribution rate has been set at €155 per day since 1
terms of medical cover, eye care and dental The fact remains that today, the scheme October 2023.
implants are much better reimbursed than in is flourishing: 69,000 people with health

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