Polish President: lowering retirement age possible by October 2017

Duda told the Polish PAP news agency that he is waiting for parliament to conclude work on the bill, adding that work is nearing completion.

“As even the Prime Minister has declared, this bill will be passed before the end of the year,” Duda said.

Asked whether the government expects to lower the retirement age in Poland by 1 October, 2017, Duda said: “Yes, I assume so. Following a conversation with the chairwoman of the Social Insurance Institution [ZUS] it is absolutely possible from her point of view. I'm hoping that parliament meets its obligations and passes the law.”

Duda wants the retirement age to return to 65 for men and 60 for women, down from the 67 for both sexes introduced in 2012 by the former Civic Platform (PO) government.

The law also needs to be approved by the Senate, the upper house, where PiS holds a majority.

Lowering the age at which Poles retire was a key campaign pledge by Andrzej Duda and the Law and Justice (PiS) party, which swept into power in Poland's October general elections last year. (rg)