Since 13 June 2025 The Social Insurance Institution will start issuing administrative decisions concerning the award widow’s pension – a fresh benefit for those who have lost their spouse. The maximum pension may be up to PLN 5636 per month, which makes it 1 of the most crucial support instruments for lone seniors in Poland. The benefit was introduced under Act of 26 July 2024 and represents a breakthrough in the state's social policy towards widowed people.
What is widow's pension?
Rent widow it new cash benefits from the Social Insurance Fund, persons who have lost their spouse and are themselves entitled to a pension. Her goal is reduction of the income gap, which appears after the death of the partner and the failure of part of the common household budget.
According to the regulations, a widow or widower may:
- Keep Your Witnessing (e.g. pension) and collect 50% benefit after deceased spouse,
- Go to the benefit of a late spouse and keep 50% of your own benefit,
- Select more favourable option (the 1 that will supply a higher aggregate income).
In practice, this means that persons who themselves receive a advanced benefit or whose deceased spouse has received a crucial pension can number on significant increase in monthly income, reaching from authoritative data up to PLN 5636 per month in any cases.
Who can benefit from widow's pension?
Benefits are granted to persons who satisfy the conditions laid down in the Act of 26 July 2024 amending the Act on Pensions from the Social Insurance Fund. Key criteria are:
- Holding widow or widower status after the individual who received the pension from the FUS,
- Holding own pension rights,
- Submission of an appropriate application to ZUS.
It is worth noting that the widow’s pension is not granted automatically – it is essential submission of an application and the addition of the required papers (e.g. death certificate of spouse, decision to grant benefits, etc.).
Since erstwhile and how will ZUS consider applications?
The Social Insurance Institution reported that issuing administrative decisions on the granting of the widow’s pension will begin June 13, 2025. However, conclusions can be drawn file before, and their examination shall take place in accordance with the date of impact and conformity of the documentation.
ZUS besides prepared special procedures and formsto aid seniors apply for fresh benefits. It will besides be possible to submit applications electronically – via Electronic Services Platforms (PUE ZUS).
The amount of the benefit – who is entitled to a maximum of PLN 5636?
According to the data provided by the Social Insurance Institution, the maximum amount of widow’s pension is presently PLN 5636 gross per month. specified an amount shall be granted to persons who:
- They collect their own benefits in the amount of an average national pension or higher,
- At the same time, their deceased spouse besides received a advanced pension or pension.
The amount of the widow’s pension will be dependent on the sum and proportion of the spouses’ benefitsand which of the options available will prove to be more favourable to the applicant.
In practice, the benefit may be from several 100 PLN per month au several 1000 zlotyswhich can importantly improve the financial situation of single seniors.
The relevance of the widow’s pension to the pension scheme
The introduction of a widow’s pension is one of the largest systemic steps in the pension policy of the last years. It's expected to counteract poverty and financial exclusion of older peoplewho frequently stay with very limited resources after the death of their spouse.
Experts indicate that the implementation of this mechanics brings the Polish strategy closer to solutions in Western European countrieswhere "family pensions" are a standard part of social security.
From the point of view of ZUS, this program will require additional organisational and financial expenditure, but it is intended to bring long-term social effects, including a simplification in the number of aged people surviving in poverty.
What's next? agenda and outlook
At this stage, information and organisational activities are the most crucial – ZUS conducts Information campaignand training for staff serving fresh applications. Seniors curious in widow’s pension should as shortly as possible read the procedure, prepare papers and apply by 13 June 2025 or at a later date, as possible.
In the coming months you can besides anticipate first payments of benefitsto be implemented as announced in monthly mode, together with basic pension or pension.
Continued here:
Up to PLN 5636 per period for widows and widowers – ZUS begins to issue decisions
