You're getting a pension? ZUS closely monitors your income – exceeding the limits threatens to suspend benefits!

In 2025 Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) intensified control over the gross of the collectors Social pension. Any exceedance of fixed income thresholds may consequence in reduction or suspension of payment of benefits. It is so vital that beneficiaries be aware of the current limits and the consequences of their overrun.

Current income limits for social pensioners

From March 1, 2025 there are fresh income thresholds which have a direct impact on the amount of the social pension:

• 70% of average monthly salary: PLN 5,934,10 gross. gross not exceeding this amount shall not affect the amount of the benefit .
• 130% of the average monthly salary: PLN 11 020.40 gross. Overshooting this threshold results in suspension of the payment of the social pension .

If the monthly income of the beneficiary is between 70% and 130% of the average salary, the Social Insurance Institution will reduce the benefit by the amount of overshoot, but not more than the maximum reduction.

ZUS Money

Consequences of exceeding income thresholds

Overshooting established income limits may lead to:

1. Reductions in social pensions: If the income exceeds 70% of the average wage but does not exceed 130 %, the benefit will be reduced by the excess amount, but not more than the maximum simplification amount.
2. Suspension of payment of benefits: Over 130% of the average remuneration results in a full suspension of the payment of the social pension for a given period .

It should be borne in head that the ZUS monitors the income of beneficiaries and that failure to study additional revenues may lead to the request to reimburse unduly collected benefits and interest.

Information obligations towards the Social safety Office

Persons receiving a social pension shall:

• Inform the Social safety Office about starting a paid activity: all form of employment, including employment contract, contract or business activity, must be submitted to the Social safety Office.
• Provide income certificates: On the basis of these documents, ZUS verifies whether the benefit is paid in the correct amount.
• Provide an yearly income statement: By the end of February each year , information on the income generated in the erstwhile calendar year shall be provided to the Social safety Office .

Failure to fulfil these obligations may consequence in sanctions, including the request to reimburse unduly received benefits.

Additional financial support in 2025

From January 1, 2025 introduced supplemental supplement to the social pension, which aims at equalising the benefit to the minimum wage. This allowance shall be PLN 2,520 per period and is intended for persons completely incapable of self-existence .

However, it is worth remembering that the supplementary allowance is subject to the same income limits as the social pension. This means that exceeding income thresholds may consequence in it being reduced or suspended .

How to avoid problems with ZUS?

To avoid the unpleasant consequences of exceeding income thresholds, it is worth:

1. Regularly monitor your income: Tracking your own gross allows you to control on an ongoing basis whether they are approaching fixed limits.
2. Consult with the ZUS adviser: In case of doubt, it is worth taking advice from a specialist who will aid to interpret the rules and measure the financial situation.
3. Avoid black work: Legal employment guarantees transparency of income and eliminates risks associated with unreported revenue.
4. Planning your finances: Conscious budget management avoids unexpected income limits.