Paris (AFP)

After two years of consultation, the pension reform promised by Emmanuel Macron is more than ever challenged on its foundations and crucial points remain to be decided.

Universal and points, what is it?

The government promises a "fairer" and "more legible" system, where "one euro contributed will give the same rights to all", in order to respond to the lack of confidence of the younger generations and to adapt to changes in society.

The 42 pension schemes, where pensions are calculated based on the number of quarters paid, must be replaced by a "universal system" where everyone will accumulate points throughout his career and for each day worked.

Finished, therefore, the rule of 25 best years for private employees and the last 6 months for civil servants and special schemes. According to the executive, consideration of the entire career should favor short, staggered and little upward careers.

An argument refuted by opponents of the project such as FO and CGT, who believe that pensions will be mathematically lower with integration into the calculation of the worst years, and fear that the value of the point, which determines the level of pensions , serve as a fiscal adjustment variable.

On the side of the liberal professions who now manage their own pension funds, one fears a sudden rise in contributions and the "spoliation" of their financial reserves.

"Work longer" or not?

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe reiterated Wednesday, the French will "gradually work longer" to "put the current system back into balance" before the entry into force of the new regime in 2025.

The legal retirement age will remain at 62, but two options are on the table: extending the contribution period or creating a new age limit for a full-rate pension, for example with a discount before age 64.

But all unions are opposed to an extension of working hours, including the CFDT, the only weight support for a universal scheme by points, especially since the duration of contribution for a full pension must already go from 41.5 years old today to 43 years old in 2035.

If such a "parametric measurement" was decided, the plant "will call the employees to mobilize," warned his number one Laurent Berger.

Generation 1959, 1963 or later?

The executive aims to bring its reform into force in 2025. The generation born in 1963 would then be 62 years old and would be the first concerned.

But to fix the accounts, their elders could be put to contribution, from generation 1959, which will be 62 years old in 2021.

At the same time, the government is ready to shift the implementation of the future "universal system" to "people a little further from retirement than what was envisaged so far," said Wednesday.

Without considering the "grandfather clause" which would be to apply the reform to future entrants on the labor market. "Between two extremes, we must be able to find the right cursor," he insisted.

"More fair", "more equitable", really?

The government puts forward new rights as a minimum pension of 1,000 euros for a full career, particularly favorable to farmers.

It also promises to extend to civil servants the criteria of hardship of the private sector allowing to leave at 60 years but plans to eliminate early departures to 57 years in hospitals.

Career interruptions (sickness, maternity, invalidity, unemployment) would still be taken into account, but not unpaid periods of unemployment.

For widows, the rules of reversion would be harmonized: 70% of total pensions received by the couple would be guaranteed but only from age 62 to age 55 today in some plans.

Family right side, a bonus of 5% for each child would be granted by default to the mother. But not sure that this is more beneficial than the current rule combining free quarters for all mothers and 10% increase for large families.

In full controversy on this subject, Mr. Philippe recognized "the importance (...) of defining in a fair and sustainable manner family rights".

© 2019 AFP