Social. Pensions: Medef does not want to return to the retirement age of 64

The French employers' federation, Medef (French employers' association), does not intend to change the legal retirement age of 64, even though the "conclave" on this issue is entering its final phase, it stated in a document listing its proposals released this Tuesday. However, the Medef says it is ready to move forward "on professional attrition" and "ensure that motherhood does not impact women's careers."

There are only three remaining sessions of the "conclave" between employers and unions, Wednesday and Thursday this week, and then on June 17, to rediscuss the contested 2023 reform that raised the legal retirement age from 62 to 64. "In a spirit of responsibility for our country," the Medef recommends "maintaining the legal retirement age at 64." For the future, "and drawing inspiration from what is happening in our European neighbors," the Medef also proposes "automatically indexing the retirement age (legal age and length of insurance) to the evolution of objective criteria relating to demographics and the labor market," without providing any figures.

Regarding professional burnout, the Medef (French employers' association) notes that "expectations are high among trade unions." The employers' representative says he is ready "to move forward," aware that "some professional situations are more demanding than others, and can have an impact on health."

The Medef (French employers' association) proposes, in particular, reviewing the professional prevention account so that it takes into account the handling of heavy loads, awkward postures, and mechanical vibrations. It also proposes modifying the incapacity/disability system "which currently affects nearly one in seven people who retire" so that the retirement age is raised to 61, rather than 62 as it is today. Regarding "women," the Medef says its "priority" is to "ensure that motherhood does not impact career progression."

The Medef (French employers' association) suggests "allowing women who have acquired additional quarters linked to maternity to benefit from an improvement in their pension level by modifying the calculation of the average annual salary." The latter would be "no longer calculated on the basis of the 25 best years but on 23 or 24 years, which will automatically improve their pension level." To finance the additional cost, "the parental surcharge from the age of 63, introduced by the Borne reform, would be eliminated (neutralizing the financial impact)," the Medef proposes.

The pensions "conclave," which began on February 27 and was originally scheduled to end on May 28, has seen its share of slammed doors, with the early departures of FO and the CGT (French General Confederation of Trade Unions) on the union side, and the U2P (French Union of Trade Unions) on the employers' side for the craftsmen. Only five participants remain: MEDEF and CPME (small and medium-sized enterprises) on the employers' side, and CFDT, CFTC, and CFE-CGC on the employees' side.