Widow's pension - support for seniors after losing a spouse
23.07.2024
During today’s meeting, the Council of Ministers adopted a number of documents and acts, including the position on a citizens' bill to introduce a widow's pension, one of the promises made during the election campaign. The draft law is intended to ensure financial support for the elderly citizens who have lost a spouse and have to deal with difficult financial situation as a result.
Citizens' bill and government’s position
The widow's pension bill is a step towards improving the quality of life for seniors after the loss of a spouse. The government has adopted a position indicating that the draft needs to be amended and adapted to the current state of the budget.
“When couples live together, they can cover their joint expenses from two pensions. After one of them dies, the surviving spouse often faces serious financial hardships. This solution will not compensate for the loss of a loved one, but it will help the surviving spouse get through the most difficult moments,”
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
The bill allows the surviving spouse to collect both the pension, as well as other benefits, such as retirement or disability pension. One of the benefits would be paid in full, while the other would be paid out partially.
“When a loved one dies, those who remain deal with an unfathomable tragedy. On the other hand, it often leads to economic hardship and the threat of lowered standard of living due to lower income. Because when the spouse dies, the cost of maintaining the home, rent or bills does not get lower,”
Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, Minister for Family Affairs, Labour and Social Policy, also explained at a joint press conference.
The government wants the new law to come into force on 1 January 2025. Benefit payouts according to the new rules would start from 1 July 2025. The Social Security Institution needs the time to prepare its systems.
Common voice of the 15 October Coalition
Supporting widows and widowers is a priority for the 15 October Coalition. The bill garnered support of more than 200,000 citizens.
“Thanks to the work of numerous ministers and leaders of the government coalition, we have reached a consensus that we all support. This shows that together we can achieve goals considered important by all Poles,”
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
The citizens' bill was stalled for many months by the previous government, deferred indefinitely by the previous parliamentary majority.
“We care for the most vulnerable and deliver on our promises. Let me remind you that the coalition agreement mentioned support for the elderly after the death of a spouse. Adopting the government's position concerning the citizens' project, which lists realistic conditions for making it a reality, proves that we are standing by what we said,”
- said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk.
