Yaël Braun-Pivet calls for a “grand accord” with the French people following the COR report on pension reform

Paris – June 9, 2026: The Retirement Advisory Committee (COR) in its latest report recommends gradually raising the average retirement age in France to 67.6 years by 2070. This recommendation is based on projections of a structural deficit in the retirement system, expected to reach 2.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP) by then, up from 1.4% last year. The main cause of this phenomenon is demographic changes: declining birth rates and an aging population.

Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly, responded to the report by stating that a “great agreement” should be reached with the French people. She called for broad social dialogue in order to jointly design the planned reforms with the public. She believes such dialogue is essential to gain public acceptance of profound changes to the retirement system.

The proposal plans to gradually raise the retirement age from the current approximately 62 years to 64.4 years by 2030, 65.8 years by 2045, and finally to 67.6 years by 2070. These phased targets aim to ensure the long-term financial stability of the system.

The plan has sparked intense debate: labor unions and several political actors have expressed concerns about the reform’s impact on the quality of life for older workers and the overall labor market. They are calling for alternative measures aimed at achieving sustainability of the retirement system without increasing the burden on workers.

Braun-Pivet emphasized that the reform must be inclusive and take social factors into account. Retirement reform is part of a comprehensive socio-economic strategy centered on solidarity and fairness. Viewed in isolation, the issue cannot address the complex social challenges.

This debate takes place in the context of a broader discussion about the future of France’s social security system. Facing an aging population, politicians and experts are actively exploring innovative ways to maintain social achievements while ensuring fiscal sustainability.

The coming weeks will reveal how the government and various social groups respond to COR’s recommendations and which specific reform steps will ultimately be implemented. The “great agreement” proposed by Braun-Pivet could be an important step toward gaining broad social support and maintaining social peace.

Overall, the current situation highlights the complexity and challenges of France’s retirement issues. Only through a balanced and inclusive approach that considers both economic and social factors can a long-term viable solution be developed.