What is life like for retirees in Poland? “No alcohol, no cigarettes, no beer and you can survive”

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What is life like for retirees in Poland? On the streets of Warsaw, I asked seniors, among others: whether their pension is currently sufficient for their lives, whether they benefit from family support, and whether they sometimes do something for themselves. The answers varied, but most people emphasized that it was not easy to make ends meet. You can watch the recording below:

Is your pension enough to live on?

– I’m with my husband, so the two of us are fine. I live in such a block, I pay PLN 800, the so-called rent, I have all these extras… It’s enough for me. It’s worse when I buy medicines, but everything together is enough. And most importantly, this government fell. For me this is the most important thing. Really. Money – it won’t be easy, for sure, but it’s really not bad – emphasized the resident of Warsaw. She also added that what she dislikes the most is that incontinence pads are very expensive for seniors. She noted that for 20 pieces you have to pay PLN 40. – If you need three or four a day, it’s terrible – she said.

Another interviewee had a different opinion on the change of government. – I am very satisfied with the current government, because now when Mr. Tusk comes in, I don’t know what will happen. I’m happy. I know I’m alive: the indexation was high, PLN 13, PLN 14. And under Tusk – 8 years ago – we had PLN 870 in pension. And now, ma’am: I know I’m alive. It’s not unusual for me to be very good, but it’s not bad, the retiree emphasized. Then she added: “I have already survived everyone, ma’am: I survived Kwaśniewski, I survived Tusk, but under Morawiecki it was the best government that Poland could have.”

How else did seniors respond? – There’s a lot to say about this. You have to, as they say, grit your teeth and… [emerytura przyp. red.] it must be enough. Well, what to do? Nobody will contribute. But not enough! Pensions and salaries are not increasing. But food? Expensive. Flats? Fees: gas, electricity… everything is expensive – said one of my interlocutors.

Do seniors benefit from family support?

Can seniors who are in a difficult situation count on support from their children or family? – Children don’t help. We rather help children, I heard. – My brother helps me there, but I somehow manage. Even though the rent is high, I already pay about PLN 1,000, but you know: no alcohol, no cigarettes, no beer and you can survive – replied a woman from Warsaw. – They have families and for now I am saving so much that it will be enough for me. What should I do? I don’t use it for now. But when the time comes, they will probably help me, because I must say, I have good children and that’s why they would definitely help me. And now they say: “Mom, if you don’t have enough, tell me.” They don’t say they won’t contribute, added another. After a while, she developed her thought: “But there’s not enough for food. If I pay more, there won’t be much left…”. When asked how she copes, she replied: “I go and buy things cheaper wherever something is cheaper. It’s lucky that I’m not very fancy and I don’t buy clothes. I just wear what I have until it tears.” .And it must be enough.

Do seniors do anything for themselves?

I also asked seniors if they sometimes do something for themselves. One of my interlocutors said that she occasionally goes to the cinema or theater. What else does he do for fun? – I go for a walk, do some exercise, drink coffee. But I can’t drink alcohol anymore! Now it was my husband’s name day, I couldn’t even drink two glasses: to health and a toast. And we used to have drinks, gala dinners, and every holiday, the children would come. Now is different. But I’m 86, I’m 90, she confessed.

Another resident of the capital said that she uses health-promoting treatments. – I have spine and leg treatments once every two weeks. You know, I’m trying my best to help, but what will happen next? You know, I’m very old, I’m an older woman. It’s been 85 years, she said.