Updated
Updated · POLITICO Europe · Sep 29
Edouard Philippe Proposes Raising France's Retirement Age to 65 From 64
Updated
Updated · POLITICO Europe · Sep 29

Edouard Philippe Proposes Raising France's Retirement Age to 65 From 64

3 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · Sep 29

Summary

  • France’s legal retirement age would rise to 65 from 64 for most workers under Edouard Philippe’s pension plan unveiled Tuesday, a signature proposal in his presidential bid.
  • Philippe said the gradual increase is needed to shore up France’s finances, warning the country must act before a looming financial crisis hits.
  • In a nearly 20-minute video, the center-right former prime minister argued France is out of step with European peers, saying countries including Germany and Spain have already enacted similar reforms.
  • The proposal lands as Philippe’s campaign struggles to gain traction against populist rivals, making pension reform a central test of his economic message.

Insights

Why is Édouard Philippe pairing a higher retirement age with compulsory private savings—and does that signal a deeper rethink of France’s pension model?
Who would really be exempt if France lifts retirement to 65, and how much protection would tough-job workers actually get?