The publication of the decrees suspending the pension reform finally clarifies the framework applicable from September 1, 2026even if several subjects remain unresolved, with significant potential impacts for certain profiles. For policyholders covered by the “long career” system, the text finally sets the new minimum starting ageswith a slight gain for certain generations, notably those born from December 1965who will be able to leave a few months earlier.
Above all, files leaving in September or October can now be registered and processed.
“The decree governing early departure for a long career finally provides the expected clarificationswelcomes Valérie Batigne, president of Sapiendo. It confirms the indications already published by Retirement Insurance and clears up the gray areas which still weighed on the 1964 and 1965 generations. For the policyholders concerned, a few months before their departure, it is a welcome visibility on their room for maneuver. »
Long careers: rules finally stabilized
The government confirms a limited lowering of the starting age for long careers: a quarter won for the 1966 to 1970 generations, and one month for certain policyholders born at the end of 1965. The contribution period remains identical to that of other policyholders. But everything is not settled: “several key points remain unresolved following the LFSS at the end of 2025”recalls Valérie Batigne, particularly those concerning mothers, likely to influence the eligibility of many women from 2026.
Mothers: expected measures, but still absent
The texts on the modulation of the average annual salary according to the number of children and on the integration of additional quarters in the long career system have not yet been published. “A delay that is all the more problematic as these provisions are due to come into force in September 2026 and could change the eligibility of many women. In the absence of these decrees, establishing reliable projections is still a headache”insists Valérie Batigne. At this stage, no release date has been announced.
Accumulation of employment and retirement: a future ceiling under surveillance
Another point pending: the decree setting the authorized income limit for combined employment and retirement between the legal age and 67 years. According to the first indications, this threshold could be limited to approximately 7,000 euros annuals. “If confirmed, this ceiling could push certain policyholders to review their end-of-career strategy, or even to bring forward their departure to 2026 when this remains possible”warns Valérie Batigne. Active people close to retirement will therefore have to adjust their plans according to future regulatory details.
