The social insurance system is in force in Poland. A general division of insurances is represented by the following scheme:
Pension insurances    -    obligatory insurances

• voluntary insurances
• continuation of pension insurances

Sickness insurance                          

Accident insurance                           

Since January 1999 one of the largest reforms has started- a reform of the social insurance system. Especially important legal laws regulating functioning of the first and the second insurance pillars were resolved in August 1997.

The process of giving permissions on creating public companies and open retirement funds started in August 1998. However, a part of the law regulating functioning employees’ retirement programmes came into being in April 1999, since March it has been possible to sign contracts about the membership in open retirement funds.

Fundamentally, however, it can be said that the date 1 January 1999 is a breakthrough in the system of social insurances. Regulations which came into force then made employers begin to start paying social insurance fees following new principles.

One of the basic principles of the new system was introduced, namely, that a part of the fee on social insurance is paid by a worker, and part by an employer.

Detailed information on the system of social insurances can be found on the following  Internet websites:

- www.zus.pl