**Why this matters for ATPL and ATC students** While this article focuses on cabin crew (PNC), the underlying regulatory shift has direct implications for all aviation personnel in France, including pilots and potentially air traffic controllers. The CRPN (Caisse de Retraite du Personnel Navigant) covers all professional flight crew, and any change to its rules affects long-term career planning. For ATPL students aiming to fly in France, understanding the evolving pension landscape is essential for financial planning and union awareness. **What the reform entails** The French government, under Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, plans to tighten the rules for cumulating a retirement pension with employment income (cumul emploi-retraite) starting January 1, 2027. The new system will cap the amount of pension that can be combined with work income at around €7,000 per year, beyond which the pension is partially reduced. This applies to cabin crew receiving a CRPN pension when they return to work or receive other income, including unemployment benefits. For unions, this effectively means a partial or total loss of the pension for those who need to supplement their income. **Union response and demands** An expanded inter-union coalition, including SNPNC, UNSA PNC, UNAC, SNGAF, and pilot unions, has demanded the complete exclusion of flight crew from the new rules. They argue that the specific retirement model for navigants was built to account for the demanding nature of the job and often shortened careers. The unions have been received at the Ministry of Transport and expect a government response by the end of July. If no compromise is reached, they threaten targeted work stoppages and broader strikes. **Broader context** The government defends the reform as a way to limit perceived abuses and encourage seniors to remain active, noting that full cumulation remains possible after age 67 without a cap. However, unions stress that many cabin crew members have modest pensions and rely on part-time work to make ends meet. For ATPL and ATC students, this dispute highlights the importance of collective bargaining and regulatory awareness in the aviation industry. The outcome could set a precedent for how other aviation professions are treated under future social security reforms.