You're an entrepreneur and you're wondering about your social security system. It's not always easy to find your way around.
SSI or Sécurité Sociale des Indépendants, the new name of RSI or Régime Social des Indépendants since January 1, 2018, is aimed at Travailleurs Non-Salariés or TNS.
The General Social Security Scheme (Régime général de la Sécurité Sociale) is aimed at workers who are "assimilated employees".
It's the legal form of your company that will make you a member of a particular scheme.
This means that you cannot directly choose the social security scheme to which you are subject, but depending on the legal form you opt for, you can influence it.
In this respect, it's important to take an interest in the protection to which these two schemes give access, and the amount of contributions to be paid, so as to be able to choose the best legal form for your company and therefore your social security scheme.
In order to help you choose your social security scheme, today we focus on the different attributes of the two possible social security schemes.
Not only the legal form of your company, but also the distribution of its share capital will determine your company's social status.
The following managers are therefore affiliated to the SSI:
- the majority manager of a SARL (limited liability company)
- The managing partner of an EURL
- All individual entrepreneurs or EI
- auto-entrepreneurs
On the other hand, other managers are affiliated to the general Social Security system, such as :
- the minority manager of a SARL (limited liability company)
- The Chairman of a SAS or SASU
- The Managing Director of an SAS or SASU
But what are the key differences between the two?
Common sense often leads us to believe that SSI is less protective than the general scheme.
While this may have been the case at one time, today the two plans are more or less the same when it comes to health insurance benefits.
Despite a trend towards standardization between these two schemes, social protection remains slightly better in the case of the general scheme.
As a result, retirement pensions, as well as protection against work-related accidents and other disabilities and occupational illnesses, are stronger with the general scheme than with the SSI.
SSI appears to be much less expensive than the general social security system
It's a common misconception, but one that's gaining ground, since it's estimated that the difference between the two premiums can be as much as 40%.
Moreover, even if the amount of contributions is often to the advantage of self-employed workers subject to SSI, it's worth remembering that such a scheme has a minimum level of contributions.
So, while the general scheme allows an individual with no income to pay no contributions, the SSI requires a minimum contribution regardless of income.
Finally, it should be remembered that the difference in SSI contribution levels allows employees to join a complementary insurance scheme. As a result, we are increasingly seeing the emergence of "à la carte" social protection.
In conclusion, it's vital to take the time to compare the two systems with regard to the legal form of your company.
Written by our expert Quentin Moyon
October 19, 2018
