Ocena reformy ubezpieczeń społecznych

The article attempts a critical analysis of the reformed social security system in Poland. Although the reform has been a breakthrough, it is not a part of a broader concept of restructuring of the social security system. Political circumstances have had a major effect on the reform scheme. Since only limited experience has been gathered so far, the assessments of the new system must have a hypothesis status. The general concept of reform providing for a combination of a repartition-based system with a capital-based system does not give rise to any doubts. Such potential consequences of the reform as the relatively low level of average pensions and their great variation and volatility, high costs of public expenditure on transforming the system and insufficient competitive pressure on pension funds may be matters of concern. Drawbacks of the reform also include omission of such problems as the retirement age and insurance of self-employed persons (especially farmers). The article suggests maintaining the general concept of the reform, but making all the necessary corrections and supplements.