Yaël Braun-Pivet calls for a "grand pact with the French" following the COR report on pension reform

Paris – 09.06.2026: The Retirement Orientation Council (COR) has recommended in its latest report to increase the average retirement age in France to 67.6 years by 2070. This recommendation is based on the forecast of a structural deficit in the pension system, which could reach 2.4 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by then, an increase from 1.4 percent the previous year. The causes are mainly due to demographic change: the birth rate is decreasing and the population is aging.

Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly, responded to the report with a call for a “grand pact with the French people.” She calls for broad social dialogue to jointly design the planned reforms with the population. In her view, such dialogue is essential to achieve acceptance of the profound changes in the pension system.

The proposal foresees gradually increasing the retirement age from the current approximately 62 years to 64.4 years in 2030, 65.8 years in 2045, and finally 67.6 years in 2070. These phases aim to help ensure the long-term financial stability of the system.

The plan has sparked intense debates: unions and various political actors express concerns about the impact on the quality of life of older workers and on the labor market in general. They demand alternative measures to achieve a sustainable pension system without increasing the burden on employees.

Braun-Pivet emphasizes that the reform must be inclusive and also consider social aspects. Pension reform is part of a broad social and economic strategy that centers on solidarity and justice. An isolated approach would not adequately address the complex social challenges.

This debate takes place within a broader discussion about the future of the French social state in the face of an aging society. Politicians and experts are seeking innovative ways to preserve social achievements while ensuring financial sustainability.

The coming weeks will show how the government and social groups respond to the COR’s proposals and what concrete reform steps are ultimately implemented. Braun-Pivet’s call for a “grand pact” could be an important step towards securing broad social support for the necessary adjustments and ensuring social peace.

Overall, the current situation highlights how complex and challenging the pension issue in France is. Only through a balanced and inclusive approach that considers economic and social aspects can long-term solutions be developed.