They witness
- Mickaël Le Priol, economist and head of studies at the CCI Île-de-France
- Thibaud Chalmin, headhunter at Marignan Consulting
- Lauriane Boissière-Jeanneau, director at Square Management in charge of the people & change area of excellence
The employment rate of seniors is higher in Île-de-France than in other regions
France is a bad student in terms of employment of seniors since only 55.9% of 55-64 year olds are active. But this average is, as often, the tree that hides the forest.
Indeed, according to a study by the region’s economic observation center (Crocis), Île-de-France is largely doing well with a employment rate of seniors at 65.2%. That is +6.4% more than in the other French regions. And above all an increase of 26.6% between 2000 and 2021.
Mickael Le Prio
There are several explanations for this according to the consular body. “Workers in the Ile-de-France region have more qualifications and entered working life later than in the regions. So they stay in the job longer. The proportion of executives is also higher in Île-de-France than elsewhere. And this category later retires. On average at 63.1 years against 61.8 years for workers and employees”underlines Mickaël Le Priol, economist and head of studies at the CCI Île-de-France .
These good figures for Ile-de-France obviously raise questions about the best end-of-career strategies for seniors. Should you stay in the Paris region or on the contrary leave for your second part of your career elsewhere in France?
Should seniors stay in Île-de-France to finish their career?
If we rely on the Crocis figures, it is obvious that Île-de-France remains “the place to be” for active seniors.
There are more job opportunities there. In view of the war for talent, the over 47s are once again valuable on the job market. In Île-de-Franc, the possibility of obtaining higher wages by changing companies has been proven.
Thibaud Chalmin, headhunter at Marignan Consulting.
At age 55, homeowners in the Ile-de-France region have generally finished repaying their mortgage, the children have grown up and are therefore more independent, and senior executives are therefore more mobile. If you have desires elsewhere, why not continue to be attached to a company in the Ile-de-France (with the remuneration that goes with it) by accepting long missions in the region. The opportunity to discover other territories with a view to a future more permanent installation at the time of retirement.
Active seniors who go to the regions reduce their right to retirement
If you are considering a second part of your career in the regions, you have to be pragmatic and not let go of the prey for the shadows.
“Senior candidates at the start should investigate local employment opportunities by sector but also whether a local transplant is realistic or not. Wanting to settle in Bordeaux, Marseille… without already having a small network there can be complicated. In the provinces more than elsewhere, jobs are found via the network. If the candidate already has a second home in the city he is aiming for, it will always be easier”insists Thibaud Chalmin.
Second precaution to take: the salary level. In the regions, salaries are lower than in Paris. Admittedly, the cost of living is lower there, but the calculation of pension rights will obviously take into account the last salaries. If they are lower, this will mechanically impact your future level of retirement pension.
Lauriane Boissiere-Jeanneau
To compensate for this shortfall and if you have the means, “Why not rent accommodation in the regions for a few years and rent out your old Parisian apartment in order to earn property income”, suggests Lauriane Boissière-Jeanneau, director at Square Management in charge of the people & change area of excellence. Please note that these will be taxable. So before you start, do your math!
Active commuter seniors, a royal road?
The best strategy, if the employer accepts a good dose of teleworking, is undoubtedly to go and live in the provinces while keeping a job in Paris. And therefore to become a “commuter worker” at the rate of, for example, 3 days of telework in the region, and 2 days on site in Paris.
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Thus, you keep your level of remuneration, identical retirement contributions (and therefore an equivalent future retirement pension) while enjoying a better quality of life in the region. If in addition, you have the financial base to keep your old accommodation in Paris, you will not have accommodation costs during your stays in the Ile-de-France region.