Why France’s pension debate is so • Table.Briefings

Living like God in France. This view of Germany’s neighbor probably has something to do with the country’s very generous pension system. This is the second time President Macron dared to reform the pension system – and despite protests, he could go through with it this time.

Eating oysters in Brittany or sipping rosé wine in Provence at the age of 62. That’s the stereotype of France’s pensioners. In fact, many French people have been able to retire at 62 without deductions if they completed the 41 or 42 years of contributions required, depending on their year of birth. This is because, unlike in Germany, studies are more compact and the start of working life is earlier.

Why France’s pension debate is so vehement

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