Beautiful advertising, promotions, discounts, freebies - there are many traps waiting for us online, and the creativity of people who are hungry for our savings knows no bounds. On the occasion of World Consumer Day, which falls on 15 March, together with the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection we suggest what to watch out for, what should make us alert, and above all - how not to be deceived. Join us!

– The actions of the government led by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki are successful – Family Minister Marlena Maląg said during a press briefing. – In January 2021, Poland's unemployment rate, adjusted for its seasonality, was rated at just 3.1 per cent, the lowest in the entire European Union.

The President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda signed an agreement on March 8th, approving the additional yearly financial benefit for pensioners and annuitants, which assumes the pay-out of the so-called 14th pension. – It is an example of a kept promise and a manifestation of care for the material well-being of Polish pensioners and annuitants – stresses Minister of Family and Social Policy Marlena Maląg. The fourteenth pension will be paid out to 9.1 million people.

The government has taken the decision to extend and to widen the scope of certain forms of support provided for under the industry shield. Entrepreneurs will be able to utilise, for instance, social security contributions exemptions, idle-time benefit, or an additional idle-time benefit, regardless is they have received the same type of support in the past. The support is also going to be available to companies, who demonstrate a loss of revenue in relation to September of 2020.

The number of people using care services continues to increase each year. – For this reason, it is particularly important to ensure that all people who need them have complete access, emphasises Marlena Maląg, the Minister of Family and Social Policy. In 2021, 583 municipalities with services for 7,465 people have declared to join the “75+ Care” programme, and the estimated amount for the programme amounts to approximately PLN 28.5 million.

Homes for mothers with underage children and pregnant women are facilities which provide residence and support, primarily to the mothers, but also for the fathers and other people who provide care for the children in an emergency situation. PLN 3 million will be allocated for this year’s edition of the “Pro Life” programme.

On 24th December 2020, the European Union and the United Kingdom reached agreement with respect to a package of agreements governing the future relationship, which includes the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This agreement has served as the basis of the EU-UK relationship since 1 January 2021. The document covers, among others, issues regarding the coordination of social security systems (Regulation on the coordination of social security systems).

The parental supplementary benefit is a huge support for the beneficiaries, primarily women, who have devoted themselves to bringing up four or more children and, as a result, have been able to meet the requirements of receiving even the minimum pension. Exactly two years ago, the “Mother 4+” programme was launched to introduce this benefit.

As of 1 March, the lowest pension and disability benefit due to total inability to work will amount to PLN 1250.88 and will be increased by PLN 50.88. All pension benefits will increase in March by the statutory pension adjustment index, i.e. 104.24 per cent in 2021.