Poles’ knowledge about the coordination of retirement pensions in the European Union: an empirical study

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to indicate the need to popularize knowledge in Poland about the coordination of retirement pensions in the EU and to present good practices for disseminating knowledge about coordination in selected countries covered by the coordination regulation. The following research hypothesis has been presented: the level of Poles’ knowledge about the coordination of retirement pensions in the European Union is low. The author’s own research was carried out based on the quantitative CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing) method. The research included a survey sample with a total of 1,000 respondents. The nationwide survey was carried out among the Polish working population. The author's own research focuses precisely on the international aspect of pensions coordination. The research confirmed the low level of Poles' knowledge about coordination. Poles do not know whether Polish workers migrating within the European labour market can benefit from EU regulations that make it easier to receive a pension and retirement benefits, or whether the social insurance contribution periods for work performed abroad count when determining the right to receive Polish retirement benefits. The article presents good practices for disseminating knowledge about coordination in selected EU countries – Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as a basis for creating recommendations for Poland.