Currently in Poland, women retire at the age of 60, and men – 65 years old. The applicable regulations entered into force on October 1, 2017, when the retirement age from earlier 67 years for both sexes was reduced.
The issue of a possible increase in the retirement age returns in connection with the deepening demographic crisis. However, the government ensures that it is not planning changes in this area yet.
Minister of Family, Labor and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk announced that instead The government intends to encourage Poles to stay on the labor market longerincl. by shortening the work week for older employees.
Topics related to retirement age and payment of benefits were discussed by the President of ZUS during a recent interview in the program “Guest Radio Zet”.
Retirement age unchanged? The President of ZUS comments
In an interview for Radio Zet, Zbigniew Derdziuk was immediately asked about possible changes in retirement age. The host of the program drew attention to adverse demographic data and their impact on the pension system. “Will the retirement age of women and men be razed or increased?” – asked Beata Lubecka, asking for an unequivocal answer.
“The retirement age will not change,” said ZUS president, adding that there are no restrictions on the length of work – everyone can decide how long they want to be professionally active. This raised the question of whether his words reflect a private position or official government decisions.
“The President of ZUS does not make such decisions. Politicians have clearly spoken in this matter. Both the family minister and prime minister and other representatives of the government declare that they are not planning a change in retirement age. There is no reason to scare people – everyone can choose how long they want to work” – explained Zbigniew Derdziuk. At the same time, he admitted that in the face of a demographic situation it is worth that Poles would consider longer professional activity.
ZUS President: It depends on us how much we will work
Radio ZET journalist continued the topic, noting that an aging society is a real problem, regardless of the current regulations. “Mr. President, Poland is aging, the demographic situation is critical. Fertility has dropped from 1.6 to 1.16, and the International Monetary Fund warns that Without reforms, the pension system will become inefficient, “she argued.
Zbigniew Derdziuk, however, did not change his position and again directed the conversation about the individual decision on the length of professional activity. He admitted that the average amount of pensions would fall – from 45 to 29 percent. average salary – which is a natural result of the extending life.
Beata Lubecka also emphasized that the plaques of continuing life and shorter period of women's work lead to lower pensions, which in her opinion speaks for the need for changes. “The pension will indeed be lower. However, we respect the freedom of choosing Poles – if someone wants to have a higher pension, they can decide on a longer job. This can be easily checked in an e-zus or visiting the ward, “answered the president of ZUS. And he added:” Everyone is a blacksmith of their own fate-how many contributions I paid, so much I will receive benefits. “
Real bankruptcy of ZUS? The president calms down
There is also a fear of possible bankruptcy of this institution around ZUS. It has been said for years that the Social Insurance Institution He may not withstand financial burdens, especially in the context of the growing number of pensioners and a decreasing number of professionally active people.
The president of ZUS tried to dispel these fears. He strongly assured that there is no threat to the bankruptcy of the pension system in Poland.
“ZUS will not go bankrupt because it is part of the state. It was only in the case of bankruptcy of the state could occur” – emphasized Zbigniew Derdziuk.
He also reminded that the Social Insurance Institution has been operating for 91 years, and the pension system itself has been operating in Poland even longer. He admitted, however, that Forecasts actually indicate a clear reduction in system efficiency around the 1930s.
