French leader vows to raise retirement age to 65, up from 62

Category: Top Stories

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. reform / rɪˈfɔrm / (n.) – changes in a system, law, or rule
    Example:

    The tax reforms will make people with higher incomes pay higher taxes.


  2. lucid / ˈlu sɪd / (adj.) – able to think clearly
    Example:

    After being in a coma for days, my friend is now awake and lucid.


  3. potential / pəˈtɛn ʃəl / (adj.) – can happen, exist, or come true if the necessary conditions are met
    Example:

    We gave out sample products to some potential customers.


  4. fulfill / fʊlˈfɪl / (v.) – to successfully provide what is required
    Example:

    Everyone who can fulfill all the requirements will get a full scholarship.


  5. opposed / əˈpoʊzd / (adj.) – against or not agreeing to something
    Example:

    The environmentalists are opposed to the construction of the new dam.


Article

Read the text below.

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to implement a pension reform that would eventually push up the retirement age by three years to 65, making younger generations work longer.


In an interview on France 2 television, Macron said the changes would start being applied next year.


“There’s only one way to do it if we are lucid. Since we are living longer, it’s to work longer,” he said.


The minimum retirement age to get a full pension would be gradually increased from 62 now to 65 by 2031, he said.


Yet Macron said he is “open” to discussing the retirement age with unions and making potential amendments.


Such measures would apply to people who worked enough to qualify. Those who do not fulfill the conditions, like many women who interrupt their careers to raise their children, must currently work until 67.


All French workers receive a state pension. Not implementing these changes would mean the government would need to decrease the size of pensions, Macron said.


Macron’s comments come after his centrist alliance lost its parliamentary majority in June, making it much more difficult for his government to get laws passed in the lower house of parliament. Most opposition parties, as well as workers’ unions, are opposed to the pension changes.


Macron offered to ally with lawmakers from the conservative The Republicans party to pass domestic reforms in parliament, including the pension changes.


In October, his government survived three no-confidence votes prompted by some opposition lawmakers from the left and the far-right to protest the use of a special constitutional power to force budget bills through the National Assembly.


A proposed pension overhaul had sparked nationwide strikes and protests at the end of the year 2019 during Macron’s first term. The government had then decided to suspend the debate amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Macron has been reelected for a second term in April.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to implement a pension reform that would eventually push up the retirement age by three years to 65. What do you think should be the retirement age in your country? Discuss.
  • Macron said that “since we are living longer, we should work longer.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • What do you think should be the factors to consider when deciding how much pension each person should receive (ex. type of job, total time working)? Do you think people should receive equal pensions regardless of their job? Discuss.
  • Macron said he is “open” to discussing the retirement age with unions and making potential amendments. Who do you think should decide the retirement age, workers or the government? Why? Discuss.