Politics · France · 4 hrs ago
French workers weigh early retirement against working longer
Retirement has become a central issue in France’s presidential election campaign.
A report from a sock factory shows how workers have different views on when to stop working.
Brigitte Claude, 64, has been eligible to retire for four years but says she values her colleagues and having a reason to get up each day.
Najima Jellouli, 54, wants to retire, saying poor health makes work difficult and she has little time to enjoy life outside it.
The report says workers face tougher conditions on average than managers, and about 40% of the factory’s employees meet criteria for difficult work that can help some retire earlier.
The factory’s owner says early departures can mean losing skills that are hard to replace, while he sees a compromise retirement age between 62 and 65.
French people retire at an average age of 63 and a half, according to the report, and voters’ choices in the election will shape the future of the pension system.
Retirement is emerging as a central issue in France’s presidential campaign, with workers and employers divided over when people should leave work.
At a sock factory, 64-year-old worker Brigitte Claude has been eligible to retire for four years but has chosen to stay.
Her colleague Najima Jellouli, 54, says poor health makes working longer difficult and that she wants more time to enjoy life.
The factory’s owner says retiring workers take valuable skills with them and that a retirement age of 60 would worsen labour shortages.
The report says French people retire at an average age of 63 and a half, with the age varying by occupation.
- Who
- French workers nearing retirement, retirees and a factory owner share their views.
- What
- They describe competing concerns about retiring earlier or working longer.
- When
- The report was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- At a sock factory in France.
- Why
- Retirement is a central issue in the presidential campaign, and people have different concerns about health, working conditions, pensions and staffing.
Workers wanting earlier retirement
Employer concerned about earlier retirement
Retirement timing
Workers wanting earlier retirement
Najima Jellouli says poor health makes working longer difficult and she wants time to enjoy life.
Employer concerned about earlier retirement
Benoît Seguin says a retirement age of 60 would worsen labour shortages and could force some manufacturers to produce elsewhere.
Working conditions
Workers wanting earlier retirement
Workers in demanding jobs may struggle to continue; the report says some factory staff qualify for early retirement based on arduous working conditions.
Employer concerned about earlier retirement
Seguin says workers’ departure can take important skills with them, requiring the company to train replacements internally.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Average retirement age in France
- 63 and a half
- Brigitte Claude
- 64; eligible to retire for four years but has chosen to keep working
- Najima Jellouli
- 54; says poor health makes working longer difficult
- Sock factory workforce
- About 50 people
- Workers meeting arduous-work criteria
- About 40% of factory employees
- Benoît Seguin’s suggested compromise
- Retirement between 62 and 65
What people are saying
Honestly, when you’re not in good health, it’s quite long. The only problem is that you’d like to live a little on the side, if you like. I’ve always worked and I don’t enjoy it, not even my holidays.
I think that if all the workers left at 60 when we already have a labour shortage... If we allow people to leave earlier, that will force some manufacturers, like me, to have production done elsewhere.
It’s the atmosphere and then getting up in the morning, you have a purpose, you go to work, you see colleagues. The women have left to do the same.
Sources
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