Building Poland which will be friendly towards seniors and persons with disabilities is also one of the promises made during the exposé of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. This is undoubtedly one of the most important challenges faced by Poland in the face of demographic processes - increasing life expectancy or the growing, but still relatively low birth rate.

The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has also launched (or continues to launch) a number of programmes aimed at creating conditions for facilitating active ageing, providing care for the elderly and supporting them in daily life.

Billions for seniors

Pension+ is an example of such a programme; the benefit consists of a one-time cash benefit (in the amount of the lowest pension, i.e. PLN 1100 gross), paid to all pensioners in May 2019. The aim of Pension+, apart from providing assistance to pensioners, was to reduce income disparities in the society.

In total, 9.8 million people received Pension+. We have allocated PLN 10.8 billion for payments.

That was expected by the citizens. This is confirmed by the research conducted by Public Opinion Research Center which polled Polish citizens regarding their opinion of the New Five introduced by the Law and Justice party. All solutions announced by the government have received favourable social reactions. “Thirteenth pension” was supported by 84% of all respondents.

Pension+ is part of a long-term support policy for the elderly citizens. That is one of our key concerns. We have re-established the retirement age and presented Polish citizens with a choice. We are also increasing the amounts of the lowest benefits - says the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Bożena Borys-Szopa.

Increased benefits

• Last year's indexation of benefits was the highest in 5 years - pensions and disability benefits increased by 2.98 percent.
• In March 2019, benefits for pensioners and disability pensioners increased by 2.86%, but not less than PLN 70.
• Once again, the Law and Justice government has increased the amount of the lowest benefits, which since March this year amounted to PLN 1.1 thousand gross.

In total, the lowest pension benefits for pensioners increased by approximately a quarter between 2016 and 2019, according to Bożena Borys-Szopa.

Paying respect to mothers

In this context, it is also worth to mention the Mother 4+ programme, which entered into force 1 March 2019. The programme grants additional parental benefits to a parent who has devoted himself or herself to raising at least four children.

- We want to show our appreciation to people who gave up their professional careers and focused on caring for multiple children, which often means living near the poverty level, without the right to pension benefits even at a minimum level - says Marcin Zieleniecki, Deputy Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy.

Over PLN 801 million was reserved for supplementary parental benefits in the state budget for 2019.   

Appreciating seniors

The Ministry implements the “75+ Care” programme, aiming to improve access to care services, including specialist care services provided to persons at the age of 75 and above. Under the programme, municipalities may benefit from a subsidy for the provision of such services.

Since 2019, the “75+ Care” programme has been operating in an extended formula. The programme is aimed not only towards people living alone at the age 75 and above (as it was the case in the previous years), but also at seniors with families.

Due to that change, more elderly people will be able to use the services they have been deprived of until now - says Minister Bożena Borys-Szopa.

The “Senior +” programme on the other hand will help to expand the network of Day-care Facilities and Clubs for Seniors. The programme will make it possible to establish institutions allowing the elderly persons not only to spend their time enjoying cultural and sporting activities, but also to have meals, receive care and assistance in daily activities.

Since 2018, the Law and Justice administration has been allocating a record annual amount of PLN 80 million for the programme, i.e. PLN 50 million more in relation to 2015.

The annual budget of the Government Programme for Social Participation of Senior Citizens (ASOS) amounts to PLN 40 million.

The Government Programme for Social Participation of Senior Citizens is addressed to people who have retired but have qualifications and experience can be utilised also after retirement. Between 2016-2018, PLN 113.8 million was allocated for the implementation of the programme. Over 1.1 thousand projects were financed from these funds, and nearly 450 thousand people received benefits.

In 2019, 300 projects under ASOS will receive co-financing for the total amount of PLN 37.8 million.