The Polish government next year plans to begin paying out special minimum pensions to mothers of four or more children, the country’s family minister reiterated on Friday.

Elżbieta Rafalska, the minister for family, labour and social policy, told private broadcaster Radio Zeto that “a realistic and safe date” for introducing the new benefits was March 1.

Rafalska has previously said that there is enough money in public coffers to ensure financing next year for the government’s key social assistance programmes, including planned “maternal pensions” for women who have given birth to at least four children.

Rafalska told public broadcaster Polish Radio in August that the estimated cost of the new programme was PLN 915,000 (EUR 213,700, USD 247,000).

The government expects that its new "Mom 4 plus" programme will benefit about 85,800 citizens, Poland’s PAP news agency reported.

The benefits will be paid out to mothers who have reached the retirement age of 60 but also single fathers above the age of 65, the news agency said.

(gs/pk)

Source: PAP