ZUS president Liwiusz Laska said on 19 September 2026 that Ukrainian citizens' contributions are a "save" for the state budget. In 2026 they paid PLN 7.4 billion to the FUS, and at the end of June 901,000 were insured. This money supports today's pensions, but will not replace Poland with its own household and demographic policy.
7.4 billion PLN paid to FUS
Livius Laska in an interview with Interia Biznes assessed the condition of the Social Insurance Fund as very good. According to the president of the Social Insurance Institution, the collection of contributions is about 97 percent, and receipts cover 82.9% of FUS expenditure. Ukrainian citizens were to pay PLN 7.4 billion from the beginning of 2026.
President ZUS put it bluntly: "The salvation for the state budget is the funds paid by migrants". He besides announced that the plant would return over PLN 10 billion this year from the grant granted in the budget bill. The exact amount was not given.
Official ZUS data for the first half of 2026 talk of 1.34 million insured foreigners, or 8.2 percent of all registered. The largest group was 901,000 Ukrainian citizens. For current strategy finances it is simply a real and measurable supply of money.
The PLN 7.4 billion scale has already been described on the basis of the data presented by the head of ZUS.
Contributions are not a gift
The word “save” sounds effective, but darkens the basic thing. Contributions are not a gift to the Polish state. They are paid by employees and employers in exchange for insurance rights. The legal work of the foreigner brings receipts to the FUS today, but in time besides creates pension obligations. That's how the payoff strategy works. Current contributions finance current benefits and future pensions depend on subsequent generations of workers.
For this reason, the bill should be kept fairly. The contribution of people who legally work in Poland and pay dues must be recognised. It is besides essential to examine future costs, rules for coordinating systems and access to subsidies financed from the Polish budget. National interest requires a full balance, not propaganda in any direction.
One premium does not automatically give a minimum pension
Laska's message fell during the dispute caused by Sławomir Mentzen and Stanisław Tyszka. Confederate politicians pointed out the anticipation of taking into account the experience of working in Ukraine erstwhile establishing the right to payment for the Polish minimum pension. The mechanics itself exists, but the minimum pension password after 1 day of work ignores crucial conditions.
One premium paid may open the way to the Polish part of the benefit, calculated in proportion to the insurance period in Poland. However, the right to equalisation to a minimum requires 20 years of traineeship in the case of a female or 25 years in the case of a man. Insurance periods in Ukraine may be added to this internship. The condition for the payment is besides to live in Poland. We have described in item the mechanics of 1 contribution and compensation for minimum pension.
Money.pl, citing the experts and data of ZUS, stated that between January and May 2026, an average payment to the lowest pension was received by about 1.5 1000 Ukrainian citizens. With over 900,000 insured, the scale of this benefit is presently small. This does not exempt you from the work to control costs and to inform Poles about the principles.
Poland needs its own demographic strength
The current contribution revenues ease the force on FUS. However, they do not solve the Polish demographic crisis. A country that depends on the stableness of pensions on the constant influx of abroad workers buys time. It's not rebuilding the foundation. This is the foundation of Polish families, available apartments, unchangeable work and taxation system, which does not punish for raising children.
Labour migration can supplement labour marketplace shortcomings if it is legal, controlled and subordinated to the interests of Poland. It cannot become a convenient alibi for the long-term negligence of subsequent governments. Warsaw should accurately number receipts and expenses, enforce the rule of equal contribution and conduct a policy whereby Poles can start families in their own country.
The figures presented by the president of ZUS are beneficial to the current budget and must not be lied to. It would be equally unfair to announce that abroad labour permanently saved the Polish system. Without its own demography, Poland will stay dependent on the decision of people who can choose another labour market. The nation's pension safety requires a longer horizon than 1 good contribution year.
Source: Interia Business, Money., Social Insurance Institution.
Source: To Things
