Unemployed individuals over 50 have access to both general labor office assistance and specific, age-targeted support programs designed to facilitate their transition back into the workforce and incentivize employers.
General Benefits for All Job Seekers
Individuals over the age of 50 registered as unemployed at a district labor office can access standard support measures. These include settlement grants, professional internships, and comprehensive activation packages tailored to an individual’s specific needs.
Additional support options include funding for vocational training, as well as lifelong learning vouchers. These cover costs for training programs, postgraduate studies, and the formal certification of skills or professional knowledge.
Specific Support for Workers Over 50
The state provides age-specific benefits, including an extended unemployment benefit period of 365 days for those over 50 who have at least 20 years of qualifying service. These individuals also receive priority for participation in various aid programs.
Employers hiring job seekers aged 50 to 60 may receive subsidies from the Labor Fund, covering up to 50% of the minimum monthly wage for 12 months. Furthermore, firms are exempt from Labor Fund and Guaranteed Employee Benefits Fund contributions for one year for employees who were registered as unemployed for 30 days prior to hiring.
Incentives for Older Workers
Employers hiring women over 55 and men over 60 are fully exempt from contributions to these funds. Additional subsidies are available for hiring individuals who have already reached retirement age but are registered as job seekers.
While the government is not currently introducing new tax incentives or public procurement preferences for hiring workers over 50, such measures remain under consideration depending on future labor market trends and ongoing policy analysis.
Legal Basis
The regulatory framework for these employment services is defined by the Act of March 20, 2025, on the Labor Market and Employment Services (Journal of Laws 2025, item 620).
