Pensioner's wallet. We know how much money is left in your pocket after shopping

The purchasing power of retirees increased in March on a monthly and annual basis – according to a report by Polskie Radio 24, UCE Research and WSB Merito Universities. Experts pointed out that the March indexation of pensions was accompanied by stabilization of prices of products included in the examined basket.

In March, the Index of Monthly Purchases (IMZ) of a pensioner, i.e. the cost of purchasing a set of products necessary to function for 30 days, including basic food, household chemicals and hygiene for one retired person, amounted to PLN 515.70. The same basket of products cost in March last year. PLN 503.82, i.e. less than PLN 12 less. The year-on-year price increase amounted to 2.36%. However, on a monthly basis, the increase in the basket price was symbolic and amounted to 17 groszy.

The authors of the report reminded that the March indexation of pensions increased the minimum pension benefit to PLN 1,800.43 net. Taking into account the higher income of an example retiree and the stabilized price of a basket of basic products, it can be concluded that the purchasing power of a person living on a pension has increased. The wallet load index for basic purchases decreased from 30.15%. in February to 28.64 percent in March.

The purchasing power of retirees has also increased year-on-year. In March 2025, purchases from the FMCG basket necessary to survive the month consumed 29.47%. the then minimum pension.

The report shows that the prices of stimulants and supplements increased the most in the pensioner's IMZ in March. The price of ground coffee increased by 21.9% during the year and that of black tea by 20.8%. More expensive 17.6 percent there were also lemons. However, butter became cheaper – by 22.8%. year to year, sugar – by 18.1%, milk by 12.1%. Some vegetables are also cheaper, e.g. white cabbage, 25.7%. less than a year ago.

“The senior basket is resistant to current price fluctuations, which is confirmed by the almost zero month-on-month dynamics. This is due to the high share of simple, unprocessed domestic products, which are the first to react to price drops on the wholesale market. Additionally, the March indexation of benefits (5.5%) exceeded the increase in basket prices (2.4% year-on-year), which translated into a real increase in purchasing power,” noted Dr. Anna Semmerling from the WSB Merito University in Gdańsk.

The authors of the report recalled that according to official data from the Central Statistical Office, consumer inflation (CPI) was 3% in March. year to year. In turn, the “Price Index in Retail Stores” study shows that the average increase in all surveyed prices in discount stores was 3.8 percent. year to year, with food prices increasing by 3.2%. Meanwhile, inflation in the pension basket of basic products amounted to 2.36%.

The Monthly Shopping Index is a cyclical report prepared by Polskie Radio 24 in cooperation with UCE Research and WSB Merito Universities. IMZ shows the nominal cost of purchasing a specific set of products necessary to function for a month. The calculations were based on the “Price Index in Retail Stores” report by UCE Research and WSB Merito, in which 97,000 items are periodically analyzed. prices in PLN 45.5 thousand commercial establishments. (PAP)

gkc/ mrr/