CZECH REPUBLIC: Czechs To Save Up For Old Age

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (The Prague Daily Monitor - CTK), November 1, 2007: Almost one-third of Czechs plan to save money to be able to pay for services when their health worsens and they need help, according to the answers to a survey the Kulaty stul (Round table) government project for the future funding of Czech health care. The poll was conducted on the www.kulatystul.cz website. One in ten participants in the survey said they were not preparing for the old age financially because it does not concern them. Life expectancy for Czech men has increased by 5.3 years and for women by 3.7 years in the past 15 years thanks to the improved health care and changes in the people's life style, though it is more than 2 years shorter than the EU average. In 2005, Czech women lived till 79.1 years on average and men till 72.9 years, compared to the EU average 81.5 years for women and 75.4 for men. The government approved the Round Table project in June and it expects it to bring the results within one year. A report on the state of Czech health care should be drafted by the end of this year. Experts from four Czech parliamentary parties work on the projects while the senior opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) have refused to take part. Respondents' answers to the question of how they are preparing for the old age: * I will start saving money and will buy services 27 percent * I will rely on the state 24 percent * I will rely on the help of my family 15 percent * I will more care for my health 12 percent * It does not concern me 9 percent * I will expect help from EU 7 percent * I will ask charity organisations for help 4 percent Source: Czech News Agency (ČTK). Copyright 2007 by the Czech News Agency (ČTK).