Retirement: Pensions to increase earlier, more than 2 million retirees will benefit

Good news is coming for just over 2 million retirees.

This is a small change coming to the pension calculation. Nothing revolutionary, certainly, but a step forward nonetheless, always welcome, especially for the most disadvantaged retirees. An agreement has been reached to modify the calculation of the pension amount and allow our seniors to receive a little more, more quickly.

Currently, you must be over 62 to retire and receive your pension (and 64 for those born after 1968). However, if all the necessary quarters have not been earned, a reduced pension is paid by the funds. This is called the discount: a slimming regime imposed until 67, the age from which the "real" amount of the pension will be paid to you, as if you had earned all your quarters. This is the point that will soon change.

Soon—perhaps as early as 2026—it will no longer be necessary to wait so long to receive a full pension. It will be able to be paid… six months earlier. This is not a huge upheaval, but retirees who have not worked enough and who are, de facto , those with the least means, will be able to receive six additional months of full pension.

Let's take an example. Michelle is a former secretary. Born in 1963, she started working at the age of 20. Her career was interrupted only by two maternity leaves. At the end of her career, she earned €2,000 net per month, after taxes.

According to a simulation conducted by Sapiendo, a retirement consulting firm, Michelle's pension will be €1,294 per month when she retires at age 62 and 9 months. She will have to wait until age 67 to receive the full rate, which amounts to €1,593, or €299 more. With the full rate brought forward by six months, this will allow her to receive this amount earlier and thus receive an additional €1,794 (€299 x 6).

This new measure is not yet set in stone, but unions and employers' organizations have agreed on the matter. It must be ratified by Parliament in the coming weeks, probably during the budget vote in the fall. Its implementation could therefore come into effect as of January 1, 2026. Just over 2 million people are affected, as the reduction affects 13.3% of retirees covered by the general scheme. This does not include those affiliated with the MSA (social assistance fund).