Paris - Thousands of pensioners demonstrated across France on Thursday over increases in their taxes, the latest group to take to the streets over President Emmanuel Macron's economic reforms.
Around eight million pensioners on more than €1 200 a month will pay higher social security contributions next year as Macron seeks to slash the budget deficit.
The nine unions behind Thursday's protests say the increase - expected to bring in €20bn in revenue - will set the elderly back hundreds of euros a year.
The pro-business Macron, whose government unveiled its first budget on Wednesday, has made assurances that only the wealthiest pensioners will be asked to tighten their belts to ease the pressure on younger generations.
But protesters demonstrating in several cities on Thursday insisted the idea they had money to spare was a myth.
Favours the wealthiest
The tax hike is aimed at funding cuts in the unemployment and health contributions of private-sector workers - one of Macron's key campaign promises.
The government has announced some €7bn in tax cuts on households - some of which will benefit the pensioners - and businesses in 2018 as part of a bid to spur consumer spending and entrepreneurship.
Unions and leftist parties have complained that the budget favours the wealthiest.
But Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire has insisted that it benefits all.
The pensioners are the latest group to take their grievances with France's new leader to the street.
Tens of thousands of people took part in three mass protests over his shake-up of France's complex labour code - his first major economic reform aimed at combatting unemployment of 9.5%.
Macron sees improving France's finances as key to winning backing in Berlin and Brussels for his ambitious EU reform plans.
The eurozone's second-biggest economy remains one of the few countries with a budget deficit above the EU-mandated 3% of GDP.
