According to an Ifop survey for “JDD”, 59% of French respondents say they are ready to increase the size of their contribution to avoid retiring later. Nevertheless, great generational differences emerge from this consultation as well as the traditional political divisions
The topic has ignited passions for just over 24 hours. This Tuesday, late in the afternoon, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne presented the pension reform project, announcing in particular the postponement of the legal retirement age to 64 in 2030, as well as the acceleration of the Touraine law of 2014, which allows for an extension of the contribution period. From 2027, it will thus take 43 years of payments to get a full pension.
The day after these announcements, while the unions are mobilizing on January 19, an Ifop vote for JDD reveals that 59% of the French are ready to contribute more to be able to retire earlier. Clearly, it would be up to these employees to agree to a small reduction in pay in order to contribute more to their retirement and thereby more quickly achieve the 172 quarters now required for a full pension.
Divisions by age, geographical area and political sympathies
Nevertheless, the study reports significant generational differences. Thus, 66% of young workers (18-24 years old) are willing to increase the size of their contribution, compared to only 47% of 50-64-year-olds. Geographical differences are also noted. Employees working in rural areas are more likely to want to contribute more (61%) than those living in the Ile-de-France region (52%). The different political sympathies highlight other divisions. Those close to the far right are among the most likely to contribute more (70%), while the figure drops to 63% among majority supporters and 54% for supporters of La France insoumise.
Finally, it should be noted that the gender of the respondents does not show any particular differences. Thus, 60% of women and 59% of men are ready to contribute more in order to retire earlier.
