What is URSSAF? Definition and role in the social security system

27 August 2025

The URSSAF, standing for Union for the Recovery of Social Security Contributions and Family Benefits, plays a fundamental role in the social security system in France. This organization has the primary mission of collecting social contributions and dues from businesses and self-employed workers. These funds are then redistributed to the various social security funds that ensure the social protection of employees, particularly for benefits related to illness, retirement, and family. By guaranteeing stable funding, the URSSAF contributes to the sustainability of the French social model while ensuring the implementation of equity among the various economic actors.

The URSSAF, or the Union for the Recovery of Social Security Contributions and Family Benefits, is a key organization in the social security system in France. Its primary mission is to collect, manage, and redistribute social contributions that are essential for financing various social benefits. This organization plays a central role in preserving and ensuring equal social rights for all citizens.

The creation of the URSSAF dates back to the law of December 23, 1967, and it has since evolved to meet the new challenges of the social system. It is responsible for registering self-employed workers and ensures that all businesses, whether private or public, comply with their obligations regarding social contributions.

The operation of the URSSAF is based on a sophisticated balance between the collection and redistribution of contributions. Each year, more than 12 million employers and entrepreneurs pay their contributions, which serve to finance various aspects of social protection ????. Among these contributions, 38% are allocated to financing healthcare, 29% to retirement, and 9% to family. This illustrates the diversity and importance of the missions that the URSSAF manages.

One of the major roles of the URSSAF is to ensure the funding of social protection as a whole. Through efficient management, the URSSAF guarantees that the necessary funds are available for social security organizations, thereby allowing for the distribution of more than 500 billion euros in benefits each year. This mission is essential to ensure that the social rights of citizens are respected and protected.

The fight against social fraud is also a fundamental aspect of the URSSAF’s work. Through rigorous controls and awareness campaigns, it aims to combat fraudulent behaviors that jeopardize the balance of the social security financing system. By securing collection procedures and educating businesses, the URSSAF contributes to maintaining a fair and equitable economic environment.

In addition to its collection missions, the URSSAF provides personalized support for employers and entrepreneurs. It offers information on social procedures, advice on obligations, and assistance with administrative procedures. This support enables users to better understand their responsibilities and navigate more easily within the complex legal framework of social security.

Moreover, the URSSAF plays a key role in coordinating between the various actors of social protection, including social security funds, health organizations, and social partners. Through this collaboration, it ensures effective service that is tailored to the diverse needs of users, thus fostering equity among economic actors.

In summary, the URSSAF is a fundamental pillar of the French social security system. Its function of collection and redistribution of social contributions helps preserve the social rights of millions of French citizens. Furthermore, through its preventive and educational role, it contributes to creating a favorable environment that allows both businesses to thrive and workers to benefit from the social protections that are due to them.

“`html

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the URSSAF

What is the URSSAF? The URSSAF, or the Union for the Recovery of Social Security Contributions and Family Benefits, is an organization responsible for collecting and redistributing contributions and dues intended to finance Social Security in France.

What is the main role of the URSSAF? The main missions of the URSSAF are to ensure the funding of social protection, assist employers and entrepreneurs, and guarantee social rights as well as equity among economic actors.

How does the URSSAF collect contributions? The URSSAF collects contributions from entrepreneurs and employers, totaling more than 12 million, for their 27 million employees.

What are the contributions collected by the URSSAF used for? The collected contributions are redistributed to different social protection organizations, notably to finance illness, retirement, family, unemployment, autonomy, and other areas.

What percentage of contributions goes to illness? In 2024, 38% of the contributions collected by the URSSAF were allocated to financing illness.

Who are the partners of the URSSAF? The URSSAF collaborates with more than 800 organizations, including branches of the general scheme of Social Security, institutions such as the Old Age Solidarity Fund, and social protection operators.

How does the URSSAF ensure proper management of resources? The URSSAF manages its resources prudently and efficiently to ensure funds are available to beneficiary organizations, managing approximately 95% of social benefits through self-financing.

How does the URSSAF support businesses? The URSSAF offers services tailored to employers to facilitate their social procedures, providing them with information, simplifying processes, and offering personalized advice.

What actions does the URSSAF take to combat fraud? The URSSAF combats contribution fraud by preventing and controlling declarations to secure the social rights of employees and ensure fair competition among businesses.