Why Retirement Has Become a Strategic Priority for Employers in France | MIA Assurances

Why Retirement Has Become a Strategic Priority for Employers in France

The French pension system is under increasing pressure.
As the population ages and public coverage declines, employers are playing a growing role in helping their teams prepare for retirement.

What was once considered a distant concern is now a strategic HR issue, influencing both talent retention and employer branding.

Understanding the French Pension System

The system is built on three complementary levels:

  1. Basic pension (1st pillar):
    Mandatory for all workers, managed by public institutions (CNAV, MSA, SSI). It provides a basic retirement income.

  2. Supplementary pension (2nd pillar):
    Also mandatory, this covers private-sector employees through the AGIRC-ARRCO scheme.

  3. Additional retirement savings (3rd pillar):
    Optional schemes offered by employers, such as the PERO (Plan d’Épargne Retraite Obligatoire), PERCO, or individual PER.

A System Under Pressure

Originally designed on a model of intergenerational solidarity, the French system is facing structural challenges:

  • In 1950: 4 workers per retiree

  • By 2050: only 1.4 workers per retiree

Other factors are compounding the issue:

  • Life expectancy now exceeds 85 for women

  • The average monthly pension is €1,531 gross

  • Executives often face a 50% drop in income upon retirement

This income gap is often paired with new personal expenses:
→ private health insurance,
→ personal protection,
→ long-term care coverage, etc.

Retirement Planning: A Human Resources Lever

These shifts are changing employee expectations:

  • Staff are starting to think about retirement earlier

  • They seek clarity and support from their employer

  • Retirement savings plans like the PERO are now seen as essential social benefits

Offering these solutions helps companies:

  • Demonstrate social responsibility

  • Improve retention of key talent

  • Strengthen their reputation as a caring and forward-looking employer

 

How MIA Assurances Can Help

At MIA Assurances, we assist companies in building retirement strategies that are:

  • Compliant with legal obligations

  • Adapted to your workforce and budget

  • Communicated clearly to both French and international teams

We help you turn retirement planning into a real value-adding tool — both for your employees and your organization.