ZUS data for 2024 indicate the stabilization of the number of pension applications for incapacity for work. According to the analyzes, there were exactly 86.8 thousand, i.e. by 0.8 percent. less than in 2023 – then 87.5 thousand were registered. applications. In 2022, the number of applications was 84.8 thousand, and a year earlier – by 3 thousand. more. These changes in the opinion of dr. Marcin Wojewódka, president of the Pension Institute, do not result from sudden changes in the state of society or working conditions, but rather testify to the neutral impact of current socio-economic processes.
– Applications for granting the right to a pension do not apply only to people who lose health as a result of an accident at work or an occupational disease. These are also applicants with innate health problems. People with a limited possibility of performing professional work as a result of their own mental problems or an accident, e.g. communication under the influence of alcohol or stimulants, are also applied.
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In turn, Dr. Marcin Wojewódka, president of the Pension Institute, points out that in the analyzed period the number of applications remained at a stable level. According to the expert, this means a lack of sudden changes in the health of our society and also in the conditions of work. In recent years, there has been no factor influencing a positive or negatively on the number of applications. This situation is neutral for the labor market. It does not cause, for example, some exodus, which was visible in 2017 as a reduction in retirement age.
– We analyze data from ZUS, but the case -law for disability purposes is granted not only by this insurance institution. There are also KRUS – for farmers and their families, the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of the Interior and Administration – for people employed in uniformed services. However, only ZUS employs doctors for a full -time employment contract – adds the BCC expert.
Looking at the data from 2024, the most applications for granting a disability pension were registered in the Śląskie Voivodeship – 11.6 thousand. Next in the ranking of the province. Mazowieckie – 10.2 thousand, Greater Poland – 9.4 thousand, Lesser Poland – 6.9 thousand and Kujawsko-Pomorskie-6.4 thousand However, at the end of the ranking you can see Opole – 1.3 thousand, Podlasie – 2.2 thousand. and Świętokrzyskie – 2.5 thousand
– It is difficult to indicate one reason why there are the most and the least conclusions in these voivodships. Employees and enterprises change their places of stay. Many companies are quickly established and closing their activities. In Silesia, economic life revolves around mining, but the population density is not low. In the province Mazowieckie economic development blooms at the capital and there are a lot of inhabitants. In turn, in the western part of the country, the industry is still working well. There are working people there – comments Anna Maria Dukat.
In 2024, the number of decisions granting a disability pension for work amounted to 46.2 thousand. There were 27.3 thousand refusals. (62.9 percent – 37.1 percent). In 2023 it was 44.2 thousand respectively. and 27.4 thousand (61.7 percent – 38.3 percent), in 2022 – 43 thousand and 27.1 thousand (61.3 percent – 38.7 percent). As Dr. Marcin Wojewódka argues, The number of negative decisions is relatively high. However, the level of last year does not differ significantly from the practice of previous years.
According to the President of the Pension Institute, this indicates a fairly tight system of granting a pension, and some may even state that there are relatively restrictive criteria for granting benefits. The expert adds that we do not know statistics about attempts to extort benefits, but unfortunately in each herd there will be black sheep.
– To obtain the right to a disease pension from ZUS, you must be a very mentally resistant person and have desperation. I know this from my own knowledge and experience, both personal and knowledge of the subject. Unfortunately, the case -law of the ability to work by ZUS certifying doctors raises a lot of doubts. It is often referred to as the patient's wonderful recovery. That is why many people take their rights in court – says an expert from BCC.
The data shared also shows that in 2024 it was registered by 13.3 thousand. More applications for an incapacity for work than a decision in this matter. Dr. Wojewódka emphasizes that the process of granting this benefit is not the easiest one. This is not a visit to examine your eyesight for prescription glasses, so it must last. In the expert's opinion, the above data may indicate some stretching in time or even delays. The situation may result from a limited number of decisions or a long process of medical analysis.
