The upcoming March 2026 will bring crucial adjustments to the benefit system for millions of Poles. The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) will implement the annual valorization of pensions and disability benefits, affecting not only payment amounts but also income limits for working pensioners and thresholds for enforcement actions by court bailiffs. However, seniors have only until the end of February to fulfill reporting obligations regarding additional income, which is a condition for maintaining uninterrupted payments.
Increase in Pensions and Disability Benefits
From March 1, benefits will increase by 5.3%, raising the minimum pension to nearly PLN 1980 gross.
New Income Limits
Update of income thresholds for working seniors below retirement age, offering greater financial flexibility.
Final Settlement Deadline
Seniors have until the end of February to inform ZUS about their 2025 income under the penalty of payment suspension.
Higher Widow's Pension
Raising the limits and amounts of the benefit for widows and widowers, increasing real inflows to their household budgets.
The approaching deadline of March 1, 2026, marks a turning point for the Polish social insurance system, initiating the benefit valorization process at a rate of 105.3%. This means pensions and disability benefits will increase by 5.3%, which, in the case of the lowest benefit, will translate to a gross amount of PLN 1,978.49. However, industry media note that the real net benefit "in hand" may be modified by tax mechanisms, meaning some seniors will see a smaller increase than expected. This process will cover a wide spectrum of payments, including family pensions and benefits administered by KRUS. The valorization system in Poland, rooted in the reforms of the 1990s, is based on a mathematical linkage of benefits to inflation and wage growth from the previous year. This mechanism evolved from the arbitrary political decisions of the Polish People's Republic era towards an objective model protecting the purchasing power of money. Concurrently with the increase in base amounts, new, higher income limits for individuals who have not yet reached the standard retirement age will come into effect from March. Exceeding the threshold of 70% of the average monthly wage results in a reduction of the benefit, while earnings above 130% of this amount lead to its suspension. These changes are crucial for professionally active seniors who must monitor their income to avoid financial restrictions. At the same time, the limit for widow's pensions will increase, improving the living situation of single individuals running households. 1 978,49 zł — will be the minimum pension from March 1 The most urgent obligation for working pensioners and disability benefit recipients remains the settlement of income for 2025. The deadline for submitting the relevant certificates to ZUS is February 28. Failure to meet this deadline may result not only in the need to repay unduly received funds but also in the suspension of current payments. The new regulations will also affect actions taken by court bailiffs, as valorization raises the statutory amounts exempt from deductions. It is also worth noting reports of a significant disparity in benefit amounts between women and men, which, according to Eurostat experts, remains one of the greatest systemic challenges of Polish social policy.