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We extend McCall’s [1970] job search model by explicitly integrating life-cycle features and retirement decisions. Using simulations, we show that the effective tax on continued activity caused by the French social security system in conjunction with the generosity of unemploymentn benefits for older workers helps explain the low rate of employment just before the early retirement age. Decreasing this tax, thus bringing it closer to the actuarially-fair scheme not only extends the retirement age, but also encourages a more intensive job-search by older unemployed individuals. Classification JEL : H31, H55, J26