Poland faces pension challenges as older workers’ health strains labor market

Data from the Institute of Labour and Social Affairs shows that 84 % of Poles retire immediately upon reaching the statutory age, underscoring the country’s rapid demographic ageing. As younger workers become scarcer, firms increasingly rely on employees over 45, yet health problems such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes and multi‑morbidity rise sharply after age 50. Poland ranks among the lowest EU nations in healthy years lived after 65, meaning longer lives do not always translate into longer productive careers. This creates planning difficulties for employers, higher absenteeism and a growing need for preventive health measures, especially in sectors where the average staff age exceeds 50.

The State Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) has accelerated the digital delivery of Individual Account Statements (IOSKU), completing more than 12 million statements for 2025 ahead of schedule. Account balances rose by 9.81 % for main capital and by 10.61 % for sub‑accounts, a total increase of roughly 472.9 billion PLN. The statements, available via the mZUS and eZUS apps, include retirement projections for insured people aged 35 and over, presented in two scenarios – continued employment until retirement age or immediate cessation of work. ZUS has discontinued mass paper mailings, offering paper copies only on request, saving costs and supporting environmental goals.