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 indexation of pensions and disability benefits, affecting not only payment amounts but also earnings limits and thresholds for enforcement by bailiffs. However, seniors have only until the end of February to fulfill reporting obligations concerning 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 1980 zł gross.
New Earnings 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 penalty of payment suspension.
Higher Widow's Pension
Raising of limits and benefit amounts for widows and widowers, increasing real inflows to their household budgets.
The upcoming date of March 1, 2026, marks a turning point for the Polish social insurance system, initiating the process of benefit indexation by an index of 105.3%. This means that pensions and disability benefits will increase by 5.3%, which in the case of the lowest benefit will translate to an amount of 1978.49 zł gross. However, industry media note that the real net benefit 'in hand' may be modified by tax mechanisms, meaning a smaller than expected increase for some seniors. This process will cover a wide spectrum of payments, including family pensions and benefits administered by KRUS. The indexation system in Poland, rooted in the reforms of the 1990s, is based on a mathematical link between benefits and inflation as well as 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. Parallel to the increase in base amounts, new, higher earnings 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 salary 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. Simultaneously, the limit for the widow's pension will increase, improving the living situation of single individuals managing households. 1 978,49 zł — will be the minimum pension from March 1st 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 28th. Lack of timeliness in this regard hinders ZUS's proper settlement of the benefit, which, if a significant exceedance of income limits is found, may result in the necessity to return unduly received funds or suspension of payments. The new regulations will also affect actions taken by bailiffs, as indexation 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.