Social Insurance Institution introduces new rules for pensionswhich can importantly improve the financial situation of widows and widowers in Poland. As of January 2025, widows and widowers will be able to make usage of additional opportunities to combine benefits, and the first payments in the fresh strategy will start in July 2025. Changes made can even bring PLN 5342.88 per month.
New rules for payment of benefits
Under the fresh rules, widows and widowers will be able to choose 1 of 2 options:
- Received the full amount of its pension and 15% of the household pension.
- Received full survivor’s pension and 15% of its pension.
This flexibility will let the amount of benefits to be adapted to the individual needs of beneficiaries, expanding their financial capacity. Important: benefits will not be granted automatically – a peculiar application will should be submitted to the EYD, which will be available from January 2025.
Conditions for applying for fresh benefits
In order to benefit from the fresh rules, respective key conditions request to be met:
- Pension age: 60 years for women and 65 for men.
- Marital status: The applicant must not stay in a fresh marriage.
- Right to household pension: You must meet the statutory requirements for this benefit.
From January 2025 a peculiar calculator will be available on the ZUS website, which will enable calculation of possible benefits on the basis of the chosen option.
The importance of change for society
Changes in the household pension strategy are not only a financial benefit to widowers, but besides an crucial step in the fight against poorness among seniorsEspecially women. statistic indicate that women become widows more often, and their financial situation frequently deteriorates importantly after losing their spouse.
For example:
- The average household pension in 2024 was around PLN 2500 gross. After introducing fresh rules, a female with a pension of PLN 3200 gross could receive an additional 15% of the household pension, which gives additional 375 PLN per month.
Higher benefits will let maintaining the existing standard of living, covering rising cost of medicines, medical care or regular expenses.
Possible social impacts
New rules may have significant impact on social and household relations:
- Informal relationships: The condition of not remaining in a fresh matrimony may prompt seniors to stay in informal relationships so as not to lose the right to benefit. This can lead to legal complications, e.g. in matters of inheritance.
- Support for young generations: Higher income for older people can mean greater financial support for their children and grandchildren, especially in the face of rising costs of living, specified as housing or education.
- Reduction of household burden: Higher benefits can reduce the request for adult parents to support financial support.
What's next?
As of January 2025, ZUS will launch a wide information run to inform widows and widowers of fresh opportunities. In July 2025, along with the first withdrawals, elder citizens will begin to feel the affirmative effects of the changes.
These changes are a consequence to the needs of the increasing elder group in Poland. Currently, the number of widowed persons at retirement age is around 1.8 millionand forecasts indicate that this number will increase with an ageing population.
More here:
Revolution in ZUS benefits for widows and widowers since 2025
