As of 1 January 2025, Poland will be introduced widow’s pensionto supply financial support to widows and widowers. This is an crucial change in the pension scheme, which can benefit more than 2 million people. What precisely is widow’s pension, who is entitled and what conditions must be fulfilled to receive it? Here are the details.
What is widow's pension?
The widow’s pension is simply a fresh benefit allowing the old pension to be combined with the surviving spouse. So far, those who lost their spouse had to choose between their benefits and their household pension, usually choosing to do so higher. However, the fresh rules will let the maintenance of the old pension or pension and 50% benefit from the deceased spouse.
Who can benefit from widow's pension?
In order to apply for a widow’s pension, respective key conditions request to be met:
- Pension age: Women must be 60 and men must be 65.
- Right to household pension: The individual must be entitled to a survivor's pension after the deceased spouse.
- Marriage status: The spouse had to be covered by the social safety strategy and died during the marriage.
What are the rules for granting?
The widow’s pension will be entitled to 50% of the benefit he received or was entitled to to the deceased spouse. This means that they will hold their existing benefits and receive an additional part of the household pension.
Example:
If the individual receives a pension of PLN 3000 gross and the benefit after the deceased spouse is PLN 2400 gross, the widow's pension will be PLN 1200 gross. In this case the full amount of benefits will be PLN 4,200 gross.
How do I apply?
The application process for widow’s pension will be possible from January 2025. Applications must be submitted to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). It can be done:
- Personally at the ZUS facility.
- Online via the Electronic Services Platform (PUE ZUS).
- By mail, sending papers to the appropriate ZUS branch.
The application must be accompanied by papers confirming the right to benefit, specified as:
- Your spouse's death certificate.
- Document confirming the right to household pension.
- Documents confirming the amount of benefits already provided.
When will the widow's pension be paid?
The first payments of benefits are planned for 1 July 2025. Importantly, the benefit will not be paid retroactively. Therefore, persons who comply with the conditions at the time of the entry into force of the Act should apply as shortly as possible in order to receive the benefit within the first possible time.
widow’s pension and another benefits
Persons entitled to a widow’s pension may not benefit from another additional benefits at the same time, specified as a peculiar care allowance. In addition, where a fresh matrimony is concluded, the widow’s pension shall cease to be paid.
Why is widow's pension important?
According to the Central Statistical Office in Poland, in 2023 the average pension was about PLN 2700 gross, which is frequently not adequate to cover the cost of living. The introduction of the widow’s pension aims to improve the financial situation of single people who face difficulties after losing their spouse.
The widow’s pension is simply a long-awaited change in the benefit system, which will aid improve the financial situation of many Poles. The fulfilment of certain conditions will supply additional support, which may importantly affect the quality of life.
Continued here:
The widow’s pension: Who is entitled to it and how to get it?
