It is time for France to put its retirees to good use

LIke much of Western Europe, France has an ageing population, and more retirees are remaining healthy and active well into old age.

To harness their skills and knowledge, a national service for retirees has been mooted. Proponents say that as well as providing a boost to charities and associations, it could also enrich the lives of older people at the same time.

France already has national service schemes

France is no stranger to national service. Military service was abolished in 1997 under Jacques Chirac, but last year, Emmanuel Macron announced plans for a new voluntary military service for 18 and 19-year-olds.

These days, national service takes the form of voluntary civilian – not military – schemes aimed at young people. Service Civique, for example, is a voluntary scheme in which young people aged 16-25 take on volunteering posts lasting six to 12 months.

François Bouchon, president of France Bénévolat, an association that promotes volunteering, suggests a national service for retirees could be based on a similar model.

“It would be essential that participation remained a matter of free choice for each retiree. Voluntary participation is fundamental to any such civic engagement initiative.”

Retirees are already major volunteers

A third of retirees in France were volunteers in 2025, according to a survey by France Bénévolat and Ifop, representing 4.1 million retired people in the voluntary sector.

Almost a third (32%) of retirees volunteer in social or charitable sectors, followed by leisure and cultural associations, according to Mr Bouchon.

However, while volunteering has seen a rise among young people, there has been an overall decline in volunteer numbers – from 38% of people in 2010 to 28% in 2019, and 24% in 2025.

Several factors explain this, said Mr Bouchon, including many retirees devoting significant time to looking after their grandchildren.

“There are also shifting priorities in retirement. The rising retirement age means many new retirees want to take a breather, spend time with loved ones, and prioritise travel and culture.”

The “professionalisation of the voluntary sector” means certain associations require higher skill levels from volunteers, which can deter retirees who wish to take part.

Despite the drop in overall volunteer numbers, retirees still make up an important element.

“Retirees dedicate more time to volunteering for associations and do so more consistently, sometimes contributing several hours a week throughout the year,” said Mr Bouchon.

How a senior civic service could work

He supports the idea of a national service for retirees.

“The concept of a Service Civique Seniors addresses a dual challenge: the ageing of the population and the growing needs of public-interest associations,” he said.

He warns that any programme “must not serve as a substitute for employment or as paid volunteering” – and it should target seniors who do not typically take part in volunteering.

Broadly speaking, these tend to be people with lower educational attainment and, by extension, less financial means.

“The rate of volunteer participation in associations is 33% for those with higher education degrees, compared to just 14% for those holding a CAP vocational qualification,” he said.

He suggested the scheme could include a monthly stipend that should not exceed €300. “It would be tax-exempt and could be received alongside a pension.”

Stipends are already commonplace in France: participants in the voluntary military service announced in 2025 receive €800 per month.

Any voluntary service for retirees should be capped at 15 hours per week, said Mr Bouchon, and be dedicated to “specific, eligible public-interest missions within associations, local authorities or eligible medico-social facilities”.

As with the youth civic service, training and support should be provided, he said, and the renewable duration should not exceed 24 months, with the option for either party to walk away at will.

A boost for charities and retirees

One immediate benefit of the scheme would be the boost to the voluntary sector.

“The scheme would mobilise between 100,000 and 200,000 additional retirees – specifically those with modest means – representing a volume of hours equivalent to more than 50,000 full-time equivalent positions,” said Mr Bouchon.

Retirees themselves would benefit: “It would enable them to engage in supplementary activity serving the public interest while regaining a sense of social utility, self-esteem, and social connection – thereby improving their health and social inclusion, particularly in rural or peri-urban areas.”

Do you support the idea? Would you take part? Email feedback@connexionfrance.com