France: High levels of anxiety over pension system sustainability

Surveys conducted by OpinionWay for Finary reveal significant anxiety regarding the future of the French pension system. Approximately 87% of French citizens express concern about retirement prospects, with 76% of active workers stating they believe they are contributing to a system from which they will never benefit.

The study highlights several key areas of concern: 70% of respondents view the current pay-as-you-go system as unsustainable in the long term, and 85% believe policymakers are incapable of implementing necessary reforms. Additionally, 83% of women anticipate receiving a pension equal to or lower than that of men.

While there is a growing awareness of the need for personal investment—with 89% of respondents deeming it necessary—there is a notable gap between intention and action. Only 38% of respondents have begun saving, and 61% report feeling poorly informed about their options. Mounir Laggoune, CEO of Finary, noted that while citizens are realizing they can no longer rely solely on the state, challenges such as complex taxation and a lack of financial education continue to hinder individual preparation.