« If we didn't have the children to help us a little from time to time, we wouldn't be able to do it at all.” , sighs Jackie Fontaine, 72 years old.
A difficult situation to accept for those who had asserted their rights at the age of 60, after having started working at a very young age, then experiencing changes in profession and periods of unemployment. For his wife Brigitte, 65, the big leap is more recent. This former home childminder was able to leave at 62
Brigitte Fontaine and her husband are struggling to make ends meet. Their pensions are their only source of income. A former construction worker – he was notably a plasterer – he receives around €1,150 (basic and supplementary pension included). She receives a little less than €1,170. “We, the small pensioners, are not doing well. Those who have comfortable retirements get by, but we don’t” , continues Jackie, before going over the list of essential expenses with his wife.
The cycle of over-indebtedness
The couple, who had five children in common and two from a previous marriage for him, stayed in the family apartment, located in the Villejean district, in Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine). They have lived there for a little over thirty years and pay rent of around €660. But they also have to pay €189 for mutual insurance, electricity (around €90 per month), water (around twenty euros)… Not to mention Internet and mobile phone subscriptions. “Today, we are obliged to have thiscomments the retiree. Otherwise, we are cut off from everything. Politicians don't calculate all these little details that are important to us. »
But their finances are even more strained as they have to face a repayment of almost €400 per month as part of an over-indebtedness case. Younger, “If we had an overdraft, the bank granted us a consumer loan so that we would no longer be overdrafted. This put us in an impossible gearexplains Brigitte Fontaine. We got screwed like that, we're paying for it now. » An already uncomfortable situation when both were working but which became even more difficult when Jackie found himself retired.
“We’re breaking our backs, but for what? »
When it comes to shopping, “no extra, we go to the low end”. They are also careful not to take prepared meals and to focus on seasonal products. “Everything is expensive. Me who was very meaty, now I tell myself that it is not necessarily necessary on a daily basiscontinues Brigitte. Desserts aren't available every day at home. We deprive ourselves on things like that to try to last until the end of the month. » They can also count on a monthly food distribution with Secours populaire, and another once a week. Support « indispensable ».
In the eyes of Jackie Fontaine, politicians are disconnected from reality: “Let them get in on the fun a bit with us. From their office, from their own world, they see their little piece of nose, but not the rest. Do you think it's normal that we still go to food distributions at our ages? I started working when I was 13 and a half. We break our backs, but for what? »
Read also: Pension freeze: an exceptional check for small pensions?
Both are unhappy with the government's desire to postpone the increase in pensions by six months. Even if avenues are mentioned to avoid penalizing small pensions. “ I don't really believe itJackie comments bitterly. We are told things, but there is nothing specific. They're beating around the bush, it's all smoke and mirrors. »
When I think of our parents who were happily retired, who could travel…
What they say is also a form of feeling of downgrading. The two retirees limit travel to save on fuel. “No camping holidays, no outings… We went to the cinema once a year thanks to the Sortir card! (a reduction system put in place by Rennes Métropole under resource conditions). It cost us lesssays the retiree. We paid €4 each. »
It was Secours populaire which recently gave them a change of scenery. In September, they left for a week. All for €80 each, full board. Jackie's share was donated by the children. For his wife's, it will be a payment in several installments, at their own pace.
Neither Brigitte nor Jackie had imagined their retired life this way. “I saw myself in a situation that was a little more comfortable anyway” , Brigitte laments. “When I think of our parents who were happily retired, who could travel… continues her husband. We worked too! »
