Paris (France) (AFP) – To complete its 2027 budget, the government wants to make retirees contribute a little less than 6 billion euros.

Published on: 09/30/2026 - 10:56

Who are the retirees, how much do they receive, are they favored? Here is data compiled by the AFP, mainly from the Drees (statistical department of social ministries) and the COR (retirement guidance council).

- 17.3 million retirees -

At the end of 2024, 17.3 million people were directly retired from French schemes, according to Drees. Around 900,000 additional people only received a survivor's pension.

More than 15 million receive a pension from the general system (employees in the private sector, traders and artisans). The civil service schemes provide pensions for just under 4 million people, and that of agricultural employees, some 2 million individuals.

The pension system is seized up by the aging of the population: the number of retirees is increasing much faster than the number of workers who finance it. Thus, today there are 1.8 contributors per retiree, compared to 2.1 in 2002, and this ratio should settle at only 1.3 in 2070.

- How much do retreats cost? -

Pensions paid by basic pension plans reached 297.8 billion euros in 2025, according to the Social Security Accounts Commission.

The supplementary schemes – mainly Agirc-Arrco – pay more than 100 billion extra.

- Departure age -

Due to successive reforms, which have shifted the legal retirement age and the contribution period required to be able to leave, the real average retirement age should increase from 63.1 years in 2025 to 64.6 years in 2070, according to the COR.

These calculations take into account the suspension of the 2023 pension reform.

- Average pension: 1,705 euros gross -

The average gross pension (excluding survivor's pensions, supplementary pension included) of retirees residing in France amounted in 2024 to 1,705 euros gross, or a little more than 1,550 euros net, according to the latest available data.

That of retired women is 36% lower than that of men. The gap is tending to narrow, since it was 50% in 2004. With a possible survivor's pension, the gap is reduced to 25%.

- Erosion of purchasing power -

Over ten years, from the end of 2013 to the end of 2023, the purchasing power of most policyholders, residing in France and having liquidated their pension before 2013, has eroded: their gross pension has decreased by 7.6% in "constant euros" (adjusted for inflation).

The net pension fell further - 8.1% in constant euros - due in particular to an increase in the general social contribution (CSG).

If we include retirees who left more recently, who generally have better careers, the drop in gross pension is more measured (-1.4%).

Standard of living

The average net pension is lower than the average net earned income.

But if we take into account all resources (assets, absence of rent, tax advantages, etc.), and the composition of households, the standard of living of retirees is "equivalent" to that of the entire population.

This standard of living relative to the entire population "increased significantly between 1970 and the mid-1990s, under the effect of the increase in the pension system and the improvement of careers, particularly for women, then stabilized", according to the COR. But it should "decrease gradually in the long term, due to the tightening of the rules for calculating pensions and less dynamic careers, to settle around 90% by 2070", he estimates.

This standard of living remains variable depending on social categories. Around a quarter of retirees do not own their primary residence. About 10% live below the poverty line, compared to 14.4% of the general population.

Health, loss of autonomy

The health expenses remaining the responsibility of households increase on average with age: the effort rate represents 3% of the income of those under 40 compared to 7% for those aged 70 and over.

In 2023, 3.7% of those aged 60 and over will reside in an establishment for the elderly. Their standard of living is “significantly lower” than that of retirees living at home. Despite public aid, 61% of residents "cannot finance their expenses from their current resources alone", indicates the COR.

- Persistent deficit -

The deficit in the pension system, including basic and supplementary schemes, reached 5.1 billion euros in 2025, or 0.2 points of GDP, according to the COR.

Despite the 2023 pension reform, it is expected to remain in this order of magnitude until 2030 then worsen to reach 0.9 points of GDP in 2045, and 2.4 points of GDP in 2070.

© 2026 AFP

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