Salaried empoyees working in the private sector might be able to push their retirement age to 70 as of 2010.

After a long discussion, the French senate, which looked into laws in the works regarding social security financing for 2009, voted by a show of hands to ratify the proposed amendment. The proposal had been strongly supported by the ruling UMP party.

The amendment allows for "the possibility for salaried workers to prolong their working activities beyond the age of 65," with the employer's approval.

The opposition parties have voiced criticims of the amendment, questioning the degree to which the decision was really voluntary.