Overview

• In a letter to unions made public Wednesday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said measures to improve women’s pensions will be written into the 2026 Social Security budget.
• The plan revives conclave proposals to calculate pensions on the 24 best earning years for mothers of one child and 23 years for mothers of two or more, instead of the current 25.
• Two child-related quarters could be counted in the long-career scheme, enabling some mothers to retire earlier under carrière longue rules.
• Each of the two targeted measures is estimated to cost about €200 million in 2030, according to the conclave document cited by multiple outlets.
• Unions say the move falls short, note the statutory age remains at 64 with many still demanding 62, and they are pressing ahead with Thursday’s protests as the government seeks further talks on occupational hardship and employment rules.