In March 2026, significant changes to the social insurance system will come into effect. The Social Insurance Institution is introducing new income limits for working pensioners, which could result in benefit reductions of nearly 1,000 zł. At the same time, the income criterion for people unable to live independently will increase, and the social pension will be supplemented with a new complementary allowance for the most needy.

Deadline for income settlement for working pensioners

Early retirees must submit income certificates for 2025 to ZUS by March 2, 2026 to avoid penalties or benefit repayments.

Higher threshold for 500 plus

From March, the income threshold for the supplementary benefit will increase to 2,687.67 zł, allowing more people to receive support.

Controversy around the UD204 bill

The draft remedial law for 200,000 pensioners is stuck in consultations; ZUS criticizes the proposed solutions as too costly and complicated.

The approaching March will bring a series of modifications to payments from the Social Insurance Institution. Key information for individuals who have not yet reached the general retirement age and are still working concerns the new earnings limits. Exceeding the threshold of 70% of the average wage will lead to reduced payments, while income higher than 130% of the average wage will result in suspension of benefits. The maximum amount by which ZUS can reduce a pension for exceeding the first threshold will be nearly 989 zł in March. Seniors who earned additional income in 2025 have until March 2, 2026 to submit the appropriate income settlement to the office. Positive changes apply to recipients of the supplementary benefit, known as 500 plus for seniors. From March 1, the income criterion entitling one to this support will increase to 2,687.67 zł. The importance of the social pension is also steadily growing, and from January 2026 it may be increased by a complementary allowance for those completely unable to work and live independently. Poland's 1999 pension reform introduced a defined contribution system, replacing the previous defined benefit model, which completely changed the way future pensions are calculated. Meanwhile, the government continues to work on solving the issue of so-called June pensions and individuals who retired early before 2013. The draft law numbered UD204, intended to fix the error of reducing universal pensions by the amount of previously received benefits, faces criticism from ZUS due to costs and technical difficulties. [{"aspekt": "Income threshold for 500+", "przed": "2,419.33 zł", "po": "2,687.67 zł"}, {"aspekt": "Max. deduction from pension", "przed": "approx. 940 zł", "po": "989 zł"}, {"aspekt": "Benefit valorization", "przed": "none", "po": "5.3%"}]989 zł — is the maximum deduction from a pension„The insured must remember that ensuring the accuracy of data in accounts is our statutory obligation.” — ZUS Statement