[Social status of the elderly in Poland]

The elderly have specific problems which have to be taken into account when we are discussing certain aspects of social and family law. Firstly, the standard of living of retired persons is endangered since they are not in a position to improve it through their own activity. The author presents legal prerequisites for a right to an old-age pension. He also presents a relation between an average pension and an average salary. This relation is unfavorable for retired persons, some of whom try to improve their standard of living through part-time jobs. Unfortunately, the employment policy for this aged social group is rather unstable. In the case of inadequate own incomes, retired people can count either on governmental or social organizations' help or support of their families. The family members' obligation to pay support is a primary consideration in any comparison of support provided in the framework of social solidarity. In spite of the fact that Polish law facilitates vindication of claims of support, in judicial practice we rarely see such claims of elderly parents against their children.