Pension reforms

[Blaze]

French plan to raise retirement age by two years to 64 :
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64229379

Judging by all the news reports, this hasn't exactly been received with open arms ! But what a ludicrously complicated system they have here.
There will be plenty of complaints about the "pénibilité" of their job (understandable in many cases), how they won't be able to profit from retirement to go on holiday and do all the other activities they anticipated ....
Coming from a country where retirement is 66 at the moment but going up to 67, it's hard to be sympathetic.

[niemeyjt]

I finally get to retire at 66y 10m in the UK (and 65y here) and Mrs N at 67y in the UK.

There is talk of bringing forward the 68y retirement age in the UK to those born in 1965/6.

So it is hard to feel sympathetic for those "suffering" a retirement at 64y.

[RobertArthur]

Let's have a look at the neighbours, across the Rhine river, a quick Google search:

Retirement age in Germany. Like many other countries, Germany has been gradually pushing back the statutory retirement age in an attempt to improve the pension system’s long-term sustainability.

Currently, the retirement age in Germany is 66 years and applies to people born in 1958. This will reach 67 by 2031.

Exceptions are made for anyone who has made pension contributions for 45 years, making it possible to retire at the age of 64 years and four months.

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In The Netherlands: In 2022, the statutory retirement age will be 66 years and 7 months, in 2023 66 years and 10 months, and in 2024 and 2025 it will be 67 years. From 2026 onwards the statutory retirement age will only be increased if life expectancy continues to rise.

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A time line: The 30-year battle to reform France's pension system.

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A country in denial by Sophie Pedder: Les derniers enfants gâtés de l'Europe.

[Quiksilver]

As per Blaze and Niemeyjt, having lost 6 years-worth of pension without the courtesy even of advance notification, my sympathy is mitigated too What is good to see, though, is that the special régimes which are totally unjustified in this day and age are to be scrapped. In principle. It'll be interesting to see if it comes off.

[Spectrum]

Agree with above but what P****** me off is that now all those that retired six years earlier are bleating about the rise is unfair as their pension is slightly less than the new rate, what they all forget and that includes my ars*** inlaws, is that they have been drawing the pension for six years longer than use, I did work it out once, I think it would take anyone that retired at 66, nearly 20 years to regain that six year gap they missed, again I think the amount was over 45K to catch up, let them moan.

[Blaze]

What is good to see, though, is that the special régimes which are totally unjustified in this day and age are to be scrapped. In principle. It'll be interesting to see if it comes off.

With Messrs Melenchon and Martinez in the wings waiting to kick off, it won't be without a fight. As it is, RATP employees will work 2 more years before retiring at .... 54. Positively heartbreaking.
Only France could have such an incredibly complicated system with so many different régimes, retirement ages .... the land of égalité ?

[MAD87]

I don't have any sympathy either - we've seen it all before since 1991. Not all the régimes spéciaux have been scrapped: ballet dances and 2 other sectors will keep theirs.
All the "pénible" occupations can surely turn their "elderly" workers into trainers/teachers for youngsters. Or the older workers could take a lower pension.
I've been receiving my (underpaid) UK pension since I was 60, and my FR pension since 65, but I've just actually retired, at 73.

[MAD87]

According to TF1's economist, this reform, if it goes through tel quel, will balance the books only until 2030, so there will have to be other changes.
Mitterand was the big bad wolf in all this, with his populist slashing of the retirement age by 5 years, in one go!

[L Austin France]

Agree with above but what P****** me off is that now all those that retired six years earlier are bleating about the rise is unfair as their pension is slightly less than the new rate, what they all forget and that includes my ars*** inlaws, is that they have been drawing the pension for six years longer than use, I did work it out once, I think it would take anyone that retired at 66, nearly 20 years to regain that six year gap they missed, again I think the amount was over 45K to catch up, let them moan.

Exactly!
My missus moans that the latest UK pension is more than she's getting.
Thing is, she also forgets that in the years since she's been in receipt of this pension she's stashed away an extra 40 Grand in her 'rainy day' account & hasn't touched a penny of it

[RobertArthur]

Sometimes fascinating cultural differences. A well written book, a mix of history and participant observation, easy reading: "The distraught Republic". Not available in the French or English language, only my translation of an interview with the Belgian journalist Mia Doornaert.

Quest for the soul of France.