https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from France in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed France's useful online simulator which helps workers accurately plan for their retirement has been updated to take into account the suspension of the flagship pension reform. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260209/france-updates-website-that-helps-you-calculate-your-french-pension Mon, 09 Feb 2026 09:53:23 +0100 france-updates-website-that-helps-you-calculate-your-french-pension French unions have called for pensioners to protest on Thursday, in response to proposals in the draft 2026 Budget that would harm retirees' purchasing power. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251105/why-are-pensioners-protesting-across-france-on-thursday Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:19:34 +0100 why-are-pensioners-protesting-across-france-on-thursday The French prime minister has hailed small steps of progress at his pensions 'conclave' - including one change which has particular significance for foreigners who have worked in France for part of their career. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250627/pensions-conclave-what-changes-for-retirement-in-france Fri, 27 Jun 2025 19:09:23 +0200 pensions-conclave-what-changes-for-retirement-in-france The bitter argument about the raising of the pension age from 62 to 64 has dominated French politics for seven years - but this week it appears that compromise may actually be likely, writes John Lichfield. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250618/opinion-after-a-7-year-battle-france-might-be-about-to-compromise-on-pension-age Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:21:25 +0200 opinion-after-a-7-year-battle-france-might-be-about-to-compromise-on-pension-age Remember 2023 when the French were rioting over plans to raise the pension age from 62 to 64? It seemed like the matter was settled once the bill was signed into law - but now it's back on the political agenda. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250115/why-we-are-talking-about-pension-reform-in-france-again Wed, 15 Jan 2025 17:02:10 +0100 why-we-are-talking-about-pension-reform-in-france-again Deciphering whether or not you will owe French tax on your US-based pension can be confusing. To give you an answer, The Local spoke with experts and consulted the US-France tax treaty to give an overview of how you might be affected. https://www.thelocal.fr/20240613/is-my-us-pension-taxed-in-france Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:43:07 +0200 is-my-us-pension-taxed-in-france If you're British and thinking of retiring to France there are some important questions to think about before you make the move, and before you make any decisions about your UK pension. https://www.thelocal.fr/20240429/6-pension-questions-british-people-should-ask-before-retiring-to-france Mon, 29 Apr 2024 10:32:54 +0200 6-pension-questions-british-people-should-ask-before-retiring-to-france Deciphering whether or not you will owe French tax on your foreign-based pension can be very confusing. The Local has spoken with experts and consulted tax treaties for the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia to give an overview of how you might be affected. https://www.thelocal.fr/20240424/explained-how-are-foreign-pensions-taxed-in-france Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:39:19 +0200 explained-how-are-foreign-pensions-taxed-in-france France is a popular place for Brits to retire to, but if you're in receipt of a UK pension there are important things to think about in reference to French taxes and social charges, plus the changes that Brexit has wrought. https://www.thelocal.fr/20240424/explained-the-tax-situation-for-british-pensioners-in-france Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:33:37 +0200 explained-the-tax-situation-for-british-pensioners-in-france France's new pension laws are now in effect - despite the months of strikes and protests against them - and the pension age will gradually rise to 64. But how does this affect foreigners' access to the French pension system? https://www.thelocal.fr/20230614/when-can-i-qualify-for-a-french-pension-under-the-new-law Wed, 14 Jun 2023 12:27:36 +0200 when-can-i-qualify-for-a-french-pension-under-the-new-law Pension reform led to months of strikes and the biggest protests since 1968, but in the end Emmanuel Macron pushed through his changes to France's pension system and the new legislation comes into effect on September 1st. Here's what changes. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230822/how-french-pensions-will-change-on-september-1st Tue, 22 Aug 2023 14:38:14 +0200 how-french-pensions-will-change-on-september-1st Did you know that in France you have the option of 'phased retirement' in which you work part time and claim part of your pension? Here's how it works. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230824/working-in-france-how-does-phased-retirement-work Thu, 24 Aug 2023 17:12:57 +0200 working-in-france-how-does-phased-retirement-work Whether you are looking to retire to France or are working here, here's what you need to know about US private pension plans such as the 401(k) and IRA for French residents. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230328/ask-the-expert-what-americans-in-france-need-to-know-about-401k-and-other-pensions Tue, 28 Mar 2023 16:48:44 +0200 ask-the-expert-what-americans-in-france-need-to-know-about-401k-and-other-pensions A stormy debate kicked off in France's parliament on Monday over a highly contested pension reform championed by President Emmanuel Macron, a day ahead of new strikes and mass demonstrations against the plan. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230206/french-parliament-debates-pension-reform-as-new-strike-looms Mon, 06 Feb 2023 19:09:12 +0100 french-parliament-debates-pension-reform-as-new-strike-looms For people who have worked both in France and in another non-EU country, it can be challenging to decipher what to expect from your pension. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230123/pensions-what-should-i-expect-if-i-worked-in-both-france-and-a-non-eu-country Mon, 23 Jan 2023 15:25:40 +0100 pensions-what-should-i-expect-if-i-worked-in-both-france-and-a-non-eu-country The planned The French government wants to increase the pension age from 62 to 64 - but this change won't take place overnight, and there are also exemptions for people who started work young and those in certain jobs. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230111/how-long-will-the-french-have-to-work-after-the-reform-of-the-pension-system Wed, 11 Jan 2023 15:45:11 +0100 how-long-will-the-french-have-to-work-after-the-reform-of-the-pension-system France's eight main trade unions called for a day of strikes and protests in January against pension reform announced by the French government. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230110/breaking-french-unions-call-january-strike-action-against-pension-reform Tue, 10 Jan 2023 20:57:18 +0100 breaking-french-unions-call-january-strike-action-against-pension-reform France's Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Tuesday unveiled details of the government's delayed - and highly controversial - reform of the pension system. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230110/french-government-reveals-its-plan-to-raise-retirement-age-to-64 Tue, 10 Jan 2023 19:08:03 +0100 french-government-reveals-its-plan-to-raise-retirement-age-to-64 France is braced for social unrest in 2023 as president Emmanuel Macron vows to push ahead with highly unpopular pension reforms - but just how good do the French have it when it comes to pensions? https://www.thelocal.fr/20191211/how-do-french-pensions-compare-to-the-rest-of-europe Wed, 11 Dec 2019 15:09:22 +0100 how-do-french-pensions-compare-to-the-rest-of-europe One thing that everyone can agree on is that Emmanuel Macron's new pension reforms are likely to be highly unpopular and lead to strikes and demonstrations - so why is he doing it? John Lichfield looks at the president's thinking and why France, in fact, needs this reform. https://www.thelocal.fr/20220929/opinion-macrons-pension-reform-is-wildly-unpopular-and-badly-timed-but-essential-for-france Thu, 29 Sep 2022 14:12:50 +0200 opinion-macrons-pension-reform-is-wildly-unpopular-and-badly-timed-but-essential-for-france