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The ageing of the population and the changing nature of work are putting pressure on pension systems, thereby routinely evoking the need for reform. The new reform adopted under the Borne government makes the age of retirement the main variable to be adjusted. This article looks at how well this parameter responds to the challenges posed by the longevity society. Our analysis is based on five points: 1) the unfair nature of the age parameter alone, which unequally distributes the burden put on working people; 2) the scope and limits of this measure for prolonging working life, with a risk of heightened job insecurity at the end of one’s career; 3) the need for ambitious active labour and employment policies for older people to prolong working life, following the example of Finland; 4) ways to remedy the crisis in the quality and meaningfulness of work; and 5) the reform’s impact on intergenerational solidarity.