A recent report by France’s High Commission for Planning outlines potential changes to the country’s pension system to address a growing imbalance between working years and retirement years. The report, released on September 10, highlights that the current system is facing a deficit, meaning it is not financially sustainable as it stands. This issue is expected to worsen as the number of people in the working-age population (ages 15 to 64) is projected to decline significantly by 2050. The report suggests that those who start working at 18 may need to retire at 64 instead of 61, while individuals who begin their careers at 23 or 24 could face retirement as late as 70. To help balance the system, the report proposes two main approaches. One option is to increase the number of years people must work before retiring by three to four years by 2050, meaning individuals would need to work 46 or 47 years to receive full pension benefits. The second option involves a “points system,” similar to a 2019 reform, which would allow people to accumulate pension rights through various contributions—such as those for unemployment, maternity leave, or other benefits—regardless of their employment status or pension regime. The report also recommends simplifying contribution rules by allowing individuals to validate a quarter of a year’s work (150 hours) for each trimestre, or three-month period, of pension credits. The report emphasizes the importance of increasing employment among both young people and older workers to counter the economic and financial challenges of an aging population. It sets a target of having 1.5 million young people in apprenticeship programs by 2035. To achieve this, the report suggests expanding skills training and apprenticeships, with the goal of matching Germany’s apprentice numbers by the same year. These efforts aim to ensure a more adaptable and productive workforce in the future. Looking ahead, the report outlines several long-term strategies for 2050, including the creation of a universal right to career transition, which would allow workers to take six to twelve months of unpaid leave for professional retraining at least once in their lifetime. It also recommends extending working years while providing flexibility through a universal time savings account (CETU), which was agreed upon in 2024 by labor and employer groups but has yet to become law. Additionally, the report proposes a new social protection system tied to individuals rather than employment, with three levels—individual, national, and sector-specific—to better support people with non-traditional or discontinuous work histories, such as freelancers and independent workers.