ZUS has your money after the dead. See if you can inherit even PLN 39 thousand

In 2024, ZUS paid nearly PLN 800 million to the heirs of the deceased insured. The average amount was about 29 1000 PLNbut in many cases even PLN 39 thousand. Nevertheless, thousands of Poles inactive have no awareness that they can inherit money from the ZUS subaccount or OFE – regardless of the will.

Who can inherit money from ZUS and OFE?

Collected pension funds do not vanish after the death of their owner. Inherited, and the procedure for obtaining them is comparatively simple – if the heirs know that they have the right to it.

Possible inheritance scenarios:

• If the deceased was a associate of the Open Pension Fund (OFE) and did not scope retirement agethe application must be submitted to OFE. After the allocation of funds, the Fund shall inform the Social Insurance Institution, who shall pay the corresponding amount to eligible persons.
• If the deceased reaches retirement age or does not belong to OFE, the application is submitted straight to ZUS, usually on the form ZUS-USS or EEC-P. Both forms are available on the Social Insurance Institution website.

What's important, no time limit to apply for payment – this means that it is possible to recover money even many years after the death of a loved one.

How are the funds shared after the deceased?

The allocation of funds depends on the civilian position of the deceased and whether he has identified persons with a pension.

• When married half of the funds collected during the duration of the property union go to the spouse's subaccount – not as cash, but as pension transfer.
• Other part of the measures be communicated to persons with a salary, previously indicated by the deceased. If there are no such, the money enters the inheritance and is shared according to Civil Code.
• In the case of divorce or the cessation of property, the funds are transferred to the erstwhile spouse according to the decision of the court – besides in the form of transfer to the pension subaccount.

What papers do you request to file?

To inherit funds from ZUS or OFE, you must prepare a set of documents:

• Short copy of death certificate
• Related documents, e.g. matrimony certificate, birth certificate
• Order of the court to get inheritance or an inheritance certificate
• Copy of ID card
• Completed application form (ZUS-USS or EEC-P)

The application may be submitted:

• Personally in ZUS branch
• Mail
• Electronic via the ZUS Electronic Services Platform (PUE ZUS)

Why aren't so many people recovering?

ZUS does not automatically inform about the right to inherit funds. The heirs must act on their own initiative. For this reason millions of gold can wait on accounts of the dead for many yearsand their loved ones, unaware of their rights, never make an application.

According to data from 2024, despite the expanding number of withdrawals, this subject inactive remains not loud enough. ZUS then paid nearly PLN 800 million – an amount that could be much higher if more people knew about their right to inherit.

Expert: “It’s money you just owe”

– Inheriting funds from ZUS and OFE is not a privilege but a right arising from the pension system – emphasises Dr. Elizabeth Wójcika social safety expert. – Many people do not realize that the money collected on the subaccounts is the property of the insured and their heirs. deficiency of cognition in this area leads to immense losses for families.

What can you do to avoid missing?

1. Check whether your deceased loved 1 was a associate of OFE or ZUS.
2. Contact the selected OFE or ZUS branch.
3. Prepare the papers and file a motion.
4. Follow the process via PUE ZUS or telephone contact.

In case of doubt, it is worth consulting a ZUS worker or a pension counselor who will aid pass the procedure.

Summary: Legacy with ZUS and OFE is simply a real chance to get back the money that belongs legally. Even if years have passed since the death of a loved one, an appropriate application can inactive be made and the funds recovered. On average it is PLN 29 thousand, but in many cases the amounts are much higher. ZUS does not inform about this ex officio – the initiative belongs to the heirs.