What pension reform should be done? The French are divided on this issue. This is the lesson of an Elabe “Live Opinion” poll for BFMTV. Thus, while 46% of those surveyed want to maintain the legal retirement age at 62 years, 33% prefer to lower it. Instead, they are only a minority (21%) to want to increase it, as the Head of State wishes.
The institute confirms a slight dynamic in favor of the drop (+4 points in 6 months) and that it is present in most of the population categories.
The rejection of the increase in the retirement age is fueled by the conviction that, despite the increase in life expectancy, people are already working hard enough. More than seven out of 10 French people believe that people already work enough and that the retirement age should not be raised (including 42% who completely agree with this statement). 64% of them disagree with the idea that it is normal to work longer, given that life expectancy is increasing (including 30% who strongly disagree).
A large majority believes that priority should be given to the activity of the elderly. 75% of French people believe that not enough has been done to reduce the unemployment rate among the elderly.
61 years, the ideal age to start
Asked to indicate until what age they would like to work (open question, without suggested item), the workers surveyed answered 61 years on average. The ideal retirement age is (on average) between 60 and 62 years old in all asset classes.
To guarantee the future of the pension system, the French are more favorable (63%) to a rise in taxes or rates for the richest households. On the other hand, 94% oppose (including 65% strongly against) a reduction in the amount of pensions.
However, the French could accept the postponement of the exit age under certain conditions. Thus, 68% say that it is acceptable to delay the legal retirement age as long as there is a real consideration of hardship.
If there is a pension reform, 51% of the French believe that it should be done taking the time to consult and debate. Only 13% favor immediate reform in an emergency (and 36% oppose any reform).
Sample of 1,002 people representative of residents of mainland France aged 18 and over. The representativeness of the sample was ensured according to the quota method applied to the following variables: sex, age and profession of the interviewee after stratification by region and agglomeration category. Internet interview from September 20 to 21, 2022.
Source: BFM TV
