Pension strategy in Poland For years, it has aroused emotion and the government's fresh statements only heat up public debate. Minister of household and Social Policy, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, in an interview of 16 January 2025, she announced that there were presently no discussions on an increase in the retirement age. At the same time, she stressed that the government encouraged Poles to proceed their professional activity by proposing favourable taxation solutions.
Lowering retirement age for men? A amazing Proposal
One of the themes raised in the conversation was the possible equalization of the retirement age of women and men. Dziemianovich-Bąk admitted that if any changes were to occur, it was alternatively by reducing the retirement age of men to 60 yearsNot raising it to women. Although this thought has been portrayed in a humorous tone, it has sparked the reaction of the masculinist environments, which have for years been demanding equal treatment of men by the legal and retirement system.
Currently, the retirement age in Poland is 60 years for women and 65 years for men. This disproportion has been controversial for years, especially in the context of the average life expectancy, which for men in Poland is 72.5 years, and for women is 80.1 years (GUS data, 2023).
No work on traineeship pensions
In the context of pension changes, many Poles recalled the promises of introduction Internship pensions. This task provided for the anticipation to quit after working for a certain number of years – 40 years for men and 35 years for women – regardless of age.
These promises were 1 of the key points of the 2015 Law and Justice electoral programme. However, no legislative work has yet been completed. Currently, 2 draft laws on traineeship pensions – 1 by Left, the another prepared by trade unions – are in the alleged seismic freezer.
Experts, including prof. Piotr Sankowski, indicate that Government seems to have abandoned this initiative, despite erstwhile declarations. This raises questions about the credibility of politicians and the future of the pension strategy in Poland.
Zero PIT for working pensioners – an incentive to work?
One of the solutions to encourage Poles to work longer is zero PIT for working pensioners. According to the current regulations, people who scope retirement age but are inactive working are exempt from income taxation up to PLN 85 528 per year.
This solution is very popular, especially among those who want to increase their pension benefits in the future. According to the Ministry of Finance, in 2024 it benefited close 320 000 peopleand this number grows all month.
Silver revolution – challenges for the pension system
Demographic change, known as a silver revolution, they pose immense challenges to Poland. The ageing of the population, while declining the number of people of working age, makes the pension strategy little financially stable.
According to ZUS forecasts, in 2060 there will be only 1.5 people of working age per pensioner. This is simply a drastic change compared to the current rate of 2.6 people per pensioner.
The future of the pension strategy in Poland
Although the government excludes an increase in retirement age, experts inform that without structural changes the pension strategy will become inefficient. 1 of the solutions under consideration is civic pensions – a permanent benefit paid to each citizen after reaching a certain age, regardless of the dimension of the contribution period.
For now, however, the subject of pension improvement seems to be a taboo in Polish politics.
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