In fresh years we have seen a worrying trend – the number of long-term benefits paid by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) to foreigners, mainly seniors, is expanding at an alarming rate. According to the latest data in December 2024, over 20 1000 foreigners received pensions and pensions from the Social safety Office for a full of about PLN 27.6 million. This is simply a crucial increase compared to the corresponding period of 2023, erstwhile these benefits were paid 15,3 1000 people (21,5 million PLN) and 2022, erstwhile the beneficiaries were 12,2 1000 PLN (16.5 million PLN). This means that all year ZUS spends at least PLN 5 million more for this purpose.
Why is Poland becoming a “senior eldorado”?
As the diary of Legal paper indicates, this process will only increase. Experts foretell that in 10-20 years Poland can become a real paradise for seniors from abroad, especially from the East. The reason is, among others, the work to pay the difference between abroad pensions and minimum pension in Poland.
– If a Ukrainian in his elder age lives in Poland, then frequently ZUS will gotta pay him the difference between the pension collected from Ukraine and the minimum Polish pension – explains Dr. Marcin Krajewski from the University of Lodz. This difference is crucial due to the fact that the minimum Ukrainian pension is presently only between PLN 260 and 320, while in Poland it is respective times higher.
Who uses the Polish pension system?
At the end of 2024, about 1.2 million foreigners worked in Poland, who were subject to social and wellness insurance. The largest group are Ukrainians (787,5 thousand), Belarusians (134.9 thousand) and Georgians (25.7 thousand). After reaching retirement age, they can apply for benefits from the Social safety Office.
Politicians Criticize Situation
These reports provoked outrage among Confederate politicians. Rafał Mekler commented: “The cult of Bandera may be spreading in Ukraine, but we have 'senior eldorado' for Ukrainian pensioners. In December 2024 more than 20 1000 foreigners received pensions from the Social safety Office, for a full of PLN 27.6 million (this is simply a monthly pool). We are doing 2 countries!’
Formation leader Krzysztof Bosak added: “Bravo Popis! It is an accomplishment unknown in the past of mankind, to introduce 2 nations without a fight to keep 1 state."
Bravo! This is an accomplishment unknown in the past of mankind, to introduce without a fight 2 nations to keep 1 state. https://t.co/fBgpETLRbY
— Krzysztof Bosak (@krzysztofbosak) February 26, 2025
What about the pension system?
The expanding number of benefits paid to foreigners makes the stableness of the Polish pension strategy question. Experts are informing that the situation can become even more critical without appropriate reforms. Is Poland able to bear the burden of financing pensions for foreigners? This is simply a question to which the answer will be crucial for the future of our country.
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