65-year-old retirees in France now have higher incomes than working-age adults—meanwhile, American boomers can’t even afford to retire

Core Insights - French retirees now earn more than working-aged adults, contrasting with trends in the U.S. and U.K. where retirees struggle financially [1][2] - The average pensioner in France earned approximately €1,626 gross per month ($1,926) at the end of 2022, which is about 2% more than the average income of working adults [2] - Over the past five decades, median income for French retirees has increased by over 160%, while working-aged citizens saw a 100% increase [4] Economic Context - French retirees benefit from a government pension plan that allows them to receive up to 50% of their annual average earnings [5] - The average yearly income for pensioners is based on the top 25 earning years, with a requirement of at least 42 years of work to qualify for the full state pension [6] - Since 2001, France has increased its GDP spending on old-age benefits and healthcare by about 2.9%, compared to a peer average of just over 1.5% [7]