French National Assembly Deliberates 2026 Social Security Budget Amid Pension Reform Suspension and Tax Controversies

The French National Assembly has commenced detailed examination of the 2026 Social Security budget bill, stirring significant political debate and controversy. Deputies are discussing some 1,500 amendments that aim to balance rigor in spending control with social welfare needs. A critical development is the suspension of the retirement reform, postponing the increase of the retirement age to 64 until January 2028 — a move estimated to cost 100 million euros in 2026 and 1.4 billion euros in 2027. The government proposes funding this suspension partly through a controversial tax on health mutuals, but the social affairs committee has rejected this surtax due to concerns it would unfairly burden patients and discourage health insurance enrollment.

Meanwhile, taxation changes have further complicated the budget's acceptance. Deputies voted to increase the General Social Contribution (CSG) on capital incomes from 9.2% to 10.6%, projected to generate an additional 2.7 billion euros. This move came after the parliamentary committee discarded a government plan to freeze the CSG scale, a proposal seen by opponents as an indirect tax hike on modest households. Left-wing and centrist deputies criticized the freeze, while Macronist deputies abstained on the CSG increase, leaving room for fiscal justice negotiations.

Additional contentious measures include a freeze on pensions and social benefits in 2026 to save 3.6 billion euros, restrictions on health expenses growth limited to 1.6% despite natural increases around 4%, and increased patient co-payments on medical consultations and medications. The National Assembly is expected to vote on the bill on November 4, with a final vote scheduled for November 12. The Senate, led by right and centrist parties, is poised to reinstate the pension reform if the suspension passes.