The hitherto little-used progressive pension, which allows you to receive part of your pension while still working part-time, is finally starting to gain traction, according to the latest figures published by the National Old Age Insurance Fund.
This attracts more and more. According to the latest data published by the National Old Age Insurance Fund (Cnav): 66,800 beneficiaries in the second quarter of 2026, compared to 45,948 as of December 31, 2025.
Having remained marginal for a long time, this system “has recently experienced progress associated with successive easing of access conditions,” Cnav emphasizes. From 2015, a progressive pension became available two years before reaching the statutory retirement age, i.e. from age 60 at that time.
Available from age 60, even if the reform is successful
Although the age was due to be raised to 62 as part of a pension reform launched in 2023 that would gradually increase the statutory retirement age to 64, a decree published last summer froze the progressive retirement age at 60 from 1 September 2025. This text is the result of an agreement concluded with the social partners. Please note: to really benefit from the system from age 60, you must contribute 150 quarters.
Before the so-called Bourne reform was suspended, it also opened up access to progressive retirement to new groups such as civil servants and members of liberal professions. “It also softened the conditions of access: the employer can no longer object to a request for gradual retirement without legal grounds,” reminds Cnav. Only incompatibility with the company’s activities seems to be a valid justification.
Over the year, the number of beneficiaries has almost doubled.
However, according to Cnav, “between June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2026, the total number of beneficiaries increased by almost 1.9, increasing from 34,798 to 66,816 beneficiaries.” This rapid increase in workload “is also part of the dynamics of knowledge improvement and user appropriation.”
It must be said that the adjustments made in recent years have made it possible to talk about a hitherto little-known progressive pension system. Employees – mainly in large groups, where it is easier to switch to part-time work – are no longer shy about taking advantage of this.
Moreover, for many of them, the prospect of retirement decreases with the increase in the statutory retirement age to 64 years (assuming that the Bourne reform remains in its current form after the 2027 presidential elections). So, those who were thinking about retiring at 62 and ultimately having to wait see this as a good solution to take their foot off the gas.