Creation of the optional free choice of activity supplement (COLCA) for families with three or more children

Article 86 of the 2006 Social Security Financing Act allows a parent who stops working entirely to receive the full-rate free choice of activity supplement at a higher amount for a shorter period. The option is final, may be shared between the parents, and entitlement starts in the month of birth or adoption. Decree No. 2006-732 of 22 June 2006 sets this amount at 157.93% of the monthly family allowance base, compared with 96.62% for the full-rate supplement, for a maximum of twelve months, and restricts the option to parents caring for at least three children who worked during the previous five years. The measure applies to children born or adopted from 1 July 2006. The free choice of activity supplement was replaced by the shared child-rearing benefit (PreParE) in 2015.