Changes in the pension system. What conditions must be met to receive a higher benefit?

Changes to the Polish pension system will come into effect on January 1. A widow's pension will be introduced. What conditions must be met to receive it?

According to the “Goniec” portal, on January 1, 2025, regulations introducing the so-called widow's pension will come into effect. Thanks to the changes, seniors will be able to combine their retirement benefit or family pension with other retirement benefits. Who will be able to benefit from the additional money?

Widow's pension from January

Next year, Polish women and men will be able to apply for a so-called widow's pension. This is a form of financial support for seniors who have lost a spouse. The government indicates that the introduction of a widow's pension could benefit up to 2 million retirees in our country. Under the introduced regulations, seniors will be able to combine their family pension with another retirement and disability benefit.

“For example, a retirement or disability pension, paid between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, at 15 percent, and from January 1, 2027, at 25 percent. This benefit may be increased in subsequent years,” the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy reported.

The adopted regulations state that the “widow's pension” cannot exceed three times the minimum pension. Currently, this amount is PLN 5,342.88. The indicated limit also includes pension benefits paid by foreign institutions.

Exceeding the adopted limit does not mean, however, that you cannot use the benefit. ZUS will simply reduce it by the amount by which the limit was exceeded.

Applications from 1 January

An application for a widow's pension can be submitted from January 1, 2025. They can be submitted at ZUS branches. This can also be done by e-mail cot@zus.pl or by phone at 22 560 16 00.

A widow's pension will be paid after meeting three conditions. The first is to reach the statutory retirement age. The second condition specified in the act is to remain in a marital community until the date of the spouse's death.

The third condition provided for in the act assumes the acquisition of the right to a survivor's pension after the deceased spouse no earlier than 5 years before reaching retirement age.