The principle of this day is that employees work 7 hours without being paid and that in exchange the employer pays a contribution: the “autonomy solidarity contribution” to the National Solidarity Fund for Autonomy (CNSA). This year, the solidarity day is expected to bring in 1.988 billion euros.

Almost 2 million euros raised

This sum is then redistributed to multiple actors and systems: to medico-social establishments, to actions to prevent loss of autonomy, to inclusive housing (that is to say to the rehabilitation of the home to allow to the person to stay there longer), to the support of family caregivers, or even to the departments.

Insufficient revenue

But this day of solidarity is not enough to finance the autonomy of the elderly and disabled. The main problem is that the population is aging. Baby boomers will soon become papyboomers! Recent reports estimate that financing the autonomy of this population will become problematic by 2030, with the first effects from 2024.

Soon a new day of solidarity?

Fortunately, the 5th branch of social security set up since January 1, 2021 will focus on autonomy, and for 2021, around 28 billion euros from the general social contribution, the CSG, will strengthen the CNSA. But it will not be enough.

According to Sylvain Denis, vice-chairman of the CNSA board, nearly 20 billion euros in funding will be lacking in 2030. If a second day of solidarity has been mentioned for a moment, it will not be enough. Organizations are now working to think about additional funding methods.