Politics · France · 15 hrs ago
Economist says higher employment is key to France’s pension reform
French economist Charles Dennery argues that the country needs to reform its pension system.
He says the main lasting solution is for more people to work for longer, including older workers.
France’s pension debate has been a major source of political deadlock since 2023.
Dennery says previous responses, including higher social contributions and state subsidies, have not solved the funding problem.
He argues that early retirement raises pension costs and reduces tax and contribution income.
He also says savings from current pensioners would be smaller than those from raising the retirement age.
His proposals include delaying retirement, increasing employment among older people and reducing public spending.
Economist Charles Dennery argues that increasing employment by working longer is the only durable way to reform France’s pension system.
He says raising contribution rates or providing further state transfers will not solve the funding problem.
Dennery says early retirement increases pension costs and reduces tax and contribution revenues.
He argues that delaying the legal retirement age has greater savings potential than asking current pensioners to make further sacrifices.
The article says pensions have been a major source of political deadlock in France since 2023.
- Who
- Economist Charles Dennery argues for changes to France’s pension system.
- What
- He says higher employment, including by working longer, is the only durable solution.
- When
- Le Monde published the article on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- Dennery says early retirement raises pension spending and reduces tax and contribution revenues.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Increasing the employment rate by working longer is the only durable solution for reforming pensions.
The article says pensions have become the main focus of political deadlock in France.
Le Monde published Dennery’s argument for increasing employment to reform pensions.
- Economist
- Charles Dennery
- Outlet
- Le Monde
- Publication date
- October 11, 2026
- Political deadlock
- Pensions have been a main focus in France since 2023
Sources
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