In a Le Monde op-ed, four ecologist senators highlight the struggles of 190,000 retired authors stuck in dead-end administrative processes. Starting November 19, the Senate will review the reform of the artists-authors' social security regime as part of the 2026 budget. They urge a comprehensive overhaul to address past failures.
The Senate is set to vote on the reform of the artists-authors' social security regime starting November 19, as part of the 2026 Social Security Financing Bill. Though it may seem minor, this reform is eagerly awaited by affiliates of the current artists-authors' social security system, who agree that profound changes are needed.
Yet, disagreements persist within the current board of directors over the governance of the future body. Lawmakers have felt strong tensions during hearings, describing the issue as a "minefield." For the state, it is a rare chance to repair damages caused by past leaders, as documented by the Cour des comptes. For decades, the body responsible for retirement contributions failed in its mission, with no response from oversight ministries.
Today, 190,000 retired authors are in severe difficulty, "stuck in dead-end administrative paths," facing Caisse nationale d'assurance-vieillesse (Cnav) agents untrained in the specifics of their earnings. Despair fuels anger among these affiliates.
The reform proposals include transferring main missions to the Urssaf, already handling contribution collection, to manage affiliation, health, and social aid. A mediator would be established for dialogue with national funds, and employees flagged for absenteeism in the Cour des comptes report would be moved to the Agence centrale des organismes de sécurité sociale (Acoss). These steps are positive, provided Urssaf receives adequate human resources for quality service.
The senators from the Ecologist, Solidarity and Territories group – signatories of the op-ed – stress the need for a reform commensurate with the stakes, to free these retirees from administrative deadlock.