Pensions: "The issue of further raising the retirement age will arise again," assures the Minister of Labor

In its latest report, the Pensions Advisory Council (COR) states that "to structurally balance the pension system each year until 2070, through the sole lever of the retirement age, it would be necessary to raise this age to 64.3 years in 2030, 65.9 years in 2045 and 66.5 years in 2070." The Borne pension reform of 2023 gradually raises the retirement age from 62 to 64. In the absence of countermeasures, the deficit in the pension system will amount to 6.6 billion euros in 2030.

Despite the failure of the pension "conclave" on Monday evening, Catherine Vautrin still believes "in the possibility of reaching an agreement ." Prime Minister François Bayrou, who met separately with the social partners on Tuesday, is expected to make announcements on the subject on Thursday.

Faced with the risk of a spending overrun of more than €1.3 billion in 2025, highlighted by the health expenditure monitoring committee, the minister is planning "new measures on drug prices to free up €500 million." The government is planning €1.7 billion in savings on health spending in 2025, in response to the overrun observed in the first months of the year, which has prompted a surge in the pharmaceutical industry, which is refusing further price cuts.

Faced with "the increase in sick leave," "we are aiming for €100 million in savings by working with healthcare professionals to target excessive prescriptions, while strengthening controls among policyholders," she continues. There are also plans to "better regulate sick leave issued by teleconsultation platforms." "Health Insurance is proposing to harmonize practices: for the same condition, some prescribe two to three times more than their colleagues; this is not normal," the minister concludes.