The Carmillon pass from SNCF provides access to a catalog of commercial benefits for railway workers, both active and retired. For the latter, it remains linked to travel facilities (FC), a historical right whose conditions are evolving. Since 2024, the tax framework has changed for some beneficiaries, and access to online services has become more complex with double authentication. What do these changes concretely modify for a retired SNCF employee who wishes to use their Carmillon pass?
Taxation of travel facilities since 2024: what changes for retired SNCF employees
The most significant point in recent years concerns the tax compliance of travel facilities. Since January 1, 2024, SNCF treats FC as a benefit in kind subject to tax for any retiree whose retirement date is after this date.
Recommended read : Everything You Need to Know About Home Insurance: Types, Benefits, and Practical Tips
In practical terms, retirees who left before January 1, 2024, are not affected by this taxation. Those who left SNCF after this date see the value of their travel facilities included in their tax declaration, which may alter the net amount of their pension received for the year.
An explanatory document has been sent by Optim’Services to the affected retirees. For those who have not received or found this letter, answers to the most common questions about the Carmillon pass for retired SNCF employees on La Revue des Seniors can provide clarity before making a request.
Read also : Combining RSA and Employment: Everything You Need to Know About Your Rights and Procedures in 2024
This distinction between two generations of retirees creates a notable asymmetry. A former employee who left in December 2023 retains their FC without tax impact. A colleague who left a month later, in January 2024, must declare this benefit. The retirement date solely determines the applicable tax regime.
Carmillon pass for retirees and travel facilities: comparison of rights by status
The Carmillon pass operates differently depending on whether one is an active employee, a retiree, or a beneficiary. The table below summarizes the main documented differences.
| Criterion | Active Employee | Retired SNCF Employee | Beneficiary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to travel facilities | Yes, included in the contract | Yes, subject to annual request | Yes, mentioned on the card of the employee or retiree |
| Taxation (since 2024) | Already included in the payslip | Applicable if retirement after 01/01/2024 | Linked to the holder’s status |
| FIP Card (international) | 50% to 75% discount depending on networks | 50% discount on 31 networks | Mentioned on the holder’s FIP card |
| Commercial benefits (partners) | Upon presentation of the Carmillon pass | Upon presentation of the Carmillon pass | Variable depending on the partner |
| Online management | Via internal SNCF tools | Via services-aux-retraites.sncf.com | Via the holder’s account |
However, the catalog of commercial benefits from the Carmillon pass (discounts at partner stores, preferential rates in hotels or insurance) remains accessible to all pass holders, regardless of status. These benefits are negotiated at the group level and evolve each year.
Double authentication and online portal: concrete steps for retirees
The portal services-aux-retraites.sncf.com centralizes the management of rights for retired SNCF employees: consultation of retirement pay, annual request for travel facilities, reporting a change in family situation. All requests for travel facilities go through this unique portal.
The implementation of double authentication (MFA) has added a layer of security. Beyond the SNCF employee number and password, certain sensitive operations require additional validation. This measure protects personal data, but it has created obstacles for retirees who are not familiar with the procedure.
Here are some practical points to remember to avoid connection issues:
- The password is case-sensitive. The lowercase “l” and uppercase “I” look similar on some screens, leading to frequent errors.
- After three failed attempts, the account is locked for thirty minutes. You must wait before trying again.
- The “forgot password” function only appears after entering your SNCF employee number in the username field.
Some retirees report blocked files for several months, with no visible contact method on the portal. Specialized forums like Cheminots.net highlight situations where former employees, particularly those retired due to medical unfitness, find themselves without an identified contact to unblock their access to FC.
FIP Card and Carmillon pass: international use for retirees
The FIP card allows retired SNCF employees to obtain a 50% discount on trains from 31 partner international rail networks. It is automatically renewed and must be presented signed, along with an ID, during checks.
Requests for international permits and the renewal of the FIP card go through a downloadable form on the retirees’ services portal. This right remains distinct from the Carmillon pass itself, but both are linked to the status of the beneficiary of travel facilities.
Partner benefits of the Carmillon pass: what remains accessible to retirees
The Carmillon pass entitles holders to negotiated discounts with commercial partners of the SNCF group. The catalog, regularly updated, covers various fields: insurance, hospitality, perfumery, professional coaching. Presenting the pass at an agency or store is generally sufficient to benefit from these offers.
Some documented examples of benefits accessible upon presentation of the pass include:
- Preferential rates at Accor group hotels via codes dedicated to railway workers.
- Discounts at Marionnaud stores upon presentation of the pass, with a specific code.
- Negotiated rates at GMF, only in physical agencies.
These benefits are not linked to travel facilities and are therefore not subject to taxation. Their availability varies by partner and year. The complete catalog circulates internally via SNCF professional networks.
For a retired SNCF employee, the Carmillon pass remains a dual-purpose tool: access to FC (with the fiscal and administrative constraints described above) and access to a network of commercial discounts. The determining factor remains the retirement date, which conditions the entire applicable tax regime for travel facilities.