Government approves flat rate pension increase
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
04.01.2012 10:57
The government will recommend an amendment to the act on pensions, providing all pensioners with an increase for 2012 of 71 zloty (15.8 euros) per month.
The amendment was approved yesterday during a sitting of Prime Minister Tusk's cabinet, echoing the premier's promises during his major policy statement in the wake of the 9 October elections.
This means that the lowest pension in 2012 will be 799.18 zloty (178.8 euros) a month.
Meanwhile, the lowest rate for those who are still engaged in some form of work will be 613.38 zloty (137.3 euros).
Soldiers and policemen as well as farmers, who enjoy specific retirement benefits, will also be granted the 71 zloty increase.
The amendments did not pass without criticism, however. The Polish Confederation of Private Employers has argued that the measures are populist, and that pensioners should be paid in relation to what they have put into the system. (nh)
Source: IAR, PAP