Until recently, I thought it was quite rare for someone to live to see their 100th birthday. However, the data shows that it happens quite often. Or at least more often than I thought. There have been quite a few centenarians in Poland in recent years. As a result, more people are also getting the special benefit that they receive from the state. Statistics from the Social Security Institute show that longevity is no longer an exception.

Personally, I do not know anyone over the age of 100. My great-grandmother lived to ninety and we say of her that she passed away at a blessed age. However, it is true that I am reading more and more about people living to be a hundred or more. In Poland, people who live to such an old age are rewarded with a special allowance. Moreover, it is being increased this year.

The number of centenarians is increasing

Around 4 000 people in Poland currently receive the allowance, which is paid to people over 100. The allowance is the same in all cases, regardless of how much pension the person otherwise has or what he or she has done for a living and what taxes he or she has paid. A few years ago, this group was much smaller, but in recent years the number of centenarians has been growing. “The Social Security pays an honorarium to more than 3 800 people. Currently, almost twice as many people receive it than at the end of 2018,” the Polish authorities say.

The number of people over the age of 100 in Poland is growing, mainly due to improving healthcare and an overall higher standard of living. Better disease prevention, early diagnosis and more affordable treatment for chronic diseases also play a significant role. Post-war generations generally have healthier lifestyles than earlier populations, for example lower infant mortality and better nutrition throughout life. At the same time, life expectancy is increasing and demographers warn that this trend will continue in Europe in the coming decades.

A record number of Poles will receive the special benefit of PLN 7,000 per month this year. ━━ A record number of Poles will receive the special benefit of PLN 7,000 per month this year. ( Source: Pawel Czerwinski /  Unsplash+ )

Increase in the allowance for centenarians

“Looking to the future, the number of centenarians will continue to grow. At the end of last year there were 125 people aged 99, so by 2026 the number of centenarians could exceed 200,” says Paweł Szkalej, spokesman for the Social Security Institute in Kielce, Poland.

While previously people received a special allowance based on the basic amount applicable on the senior’s 100th birthday, today the amount is uniform for all. Until the end of February this year, the benefit amounted to PLN 6,589 gross per month. In March, it was increased by PLN 350 and now amounts to almost PLN 7,000. The benefit is paid automatically and no application is required. The situation is different for centenarians who previously did not receive ZUS benefits (this applies mainly to women who gave up work to raise children). In such cases, it is necessary to apply, but these people are also entitled to the money.