French citizens are up in arms against Macron’s retirement age push because they believe it is an attack on their rights and benefits. The French retirement system is based on a “pay-as-you-go” system, meaning that current workers’ contributions finance current retirees’ benefits. Many French citizens are concerned that by raising the retirement age, their benefits will be cut, leaving them with a lower pension when they retire.
They are also concerned that Macron’s plan will lead to more job insecurity and force people to work longer hours to make ends meet. Finally, they fear that the higher retirement age will lead to a greater burden on younger generations, who will have to pay more into the system to support the elderly.