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

Paris – 09.06.2026: The Pension Orientation Council (COR) has recommended in its latest report to raise 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 that could reach 2.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP), up from 1.4% the previous year. The main causes are attributed to demographic change: the birth rate is declining 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 demands a broad social dialogue to develop the planned reforms together with the population. According to her, such dialogue is essential to create acceptance of the profound transformations of the pension system.

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

The plan is sparking lively debates: unions and various political actors express concerns about the impact on the quality of life of older workers and the labor market in general. They call for alternative measures to make the pension system sustainable without increasing the burden on workers.

Braun-Pivet emphasizes that the reform must be inclusive and also take social aspects into account. The pension reform is part of a comprehensive social and economic strategy that centers solidarity and justice. An isolated view would not do justice to the complex social challenges.

This debate is part of the broader context of a discussion about the future evolution of the French welfare state in light of population aging. Politicians and experts are seeking innovative solutions 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 which concrete reform steps will ultimately be implemented. Braun-Pivet’s call for a “grand pact” could represent an important step to gain broad social support for the necessary adjustments and to maintain social peace.

In summary, the current situation highlights how complex and challenging the pension issue in France is. Only with a balanced and inclusive approach, considering both economic and social aspects, will it be possible to develop sustainable long-term solutions.