They donated 20 liters of blood – will they get an retirement allowance?

Honorary blood donation has been playing a key role in the health care system for years, saving the lives and health of thousands of patients. People who donated at least 20 liters of blood receive the title of a distinguished honorary blood donor. Despite this, financial support is still lacking for them during the retirement period. MPs call for the introduction of a special supplement, similar to that of the village leaders. Does the government plan such a solution? The Ministry of Health and Work correspond.

Postulate of a pension supplement for blood donors

A group of MPs turned to the government with an interpellation, arguing that honorary blood donors deserve additional support in the retirement period. They emphasize that their selfless help is crucial for public health.

“People who have been systematically donating blood for years, contributing to saving their lives, do not receive any retirement benefits in this respect. Meanwhile, other groups, such as village leaders, are guaranteed an additional benefit after a certain time of performing their function. It arouses a sense of injustice, “MPs wrote in an interpellation.

MPs turned to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy asking whether systemic solutions are planned to enable the retirement add -on for honorary blood donors.

Ministry of Health: Financial supplement is not in accordance with the idea of ​​honorary donation

In response to the interpellation, the Ministry of Health explained that blood donation in Poland, as in other European countries, is voluntary and honorary. This means that donors cannot receive financial gratification for donating blood.

“Blood donation is an act of selfless help to other people. The legal system both in Poland and the European Union clearly stipulates that blood donation cannot be associated with any form of payment, including the allowance for a pension, “emphasized the ministry.

The Ministry of Health pointed out, however, that honorary blood donors can enjoy other privileges, such as:

• Dismissal from work on the day of donation

• Return of travel expenses to the download point

• Possibility to deduct a donation from tax

• Access to some medications with a discount

• Priority use of health services

The ministry emphasizes that the retirement supplement would be contrary to the idea of ​​voluntary blood donation.

Ministry of Family and Labor: No grounds for the allowance in the pension system

The Ministry of Family and Social Policy also negatively referred to the postulate of deputies. The ministry explained that the pension system is based on the principle of equivalence – the amount of the pension depends on the contributions paid by the employee and the employer.

“We cannot grant an allowance that does not result from paid insurance premiums. These types of solutions would disturb the pension system, which is based on the principle of proportionality of benefits to the contribution, “said the ministry.

In response, it was also recalled that pension allowances granted in the past for various professional groups were withdrawn as part of the reforms of the pension system.

Are there any chances for a change?

Although the government is not planning to introduce a pension allowance for honorary blood donors, the topic is still the subject of discussion. MPs announce further actions in this matter, arguing that the state should appreciate more people who have donated blood for years, supporting the health care system.

At the moment, however, the government remains adamant – pension principles do not provide for additions to blood donors, and their financial support would be contrary to applicable regulations regarding the honorary blood donation.