A series of publications focuses on the March 2026 indexation of benefits, ZUS payment deadlines, and the settlement obligations for pensioners and disability benefit recipients. Media also describe increases in benefit limits (including widow's pension and support allowance) and warn about the risk of losing benefits while working on sick leave. Simultaneously, changes to taxes on purchases of used goods and cars are announced.

March benefit indexation

ZUS recalculates payments from March 2026, and media point out differences between the gross amount and the net payout resulting from tax rules.

Income settlement by the end of February

Some pensioners and disability benefit recipients must provide ZUS with income data; failure to fulfill this obligation may result in overpayment settlements or suspension of benefits.

Higher earnings limits

From March, income thresholds are updated, beyond which ZUS may reduce or suspend certain benefits, which especially concerns individuals below retirement age.

Sick leave controls and risk of benefit loss

Articles warn that performing work during sick leave may result in loss of the benefit, and the number of controls on sick leaves – including pregnancy-related ones – is increasing.

Changes in taxes on purchases of used goods

Media describe raising limits that reduce obligations to the tax office when buying used goods and cars, but also tightening penalties for formal errors.

Late February publications focus on the March indexation of benefits in 2026 and its practical effects for seniors. They highlight the ZUS payment dates after the amounts are recalculated, and note that some individuals may feel the increase less due to tax reasons. Some texts also touch on additional forms of support: benefits and supplements from ZUS and MOPS, including ones that – according to one article – can reach several hundred zlotys per month. 550 zł — possible monthly supplement An important part of the message concerns settlement obligations. Articles remind readers that the end of February is the deadline for some pensioners and disability benefit recipients to submit information about last year's income. They also emphasize that earnings limits are updated from March, which matters for those combining benefits with work. A separate thread concerns medical certification: due to staffing shortages for issuing certain certificates, nurses and physiotherapists meeting statutory requirements are also to be permitted to do so, though not in a full, unrestricted capacity. Poland's pension system since the 1999 reform is based on the defined contribution principle, linking future pensions to the sum of contributions paid and further life expectancy. Population aging is a multi-decade phenomenon, and already in the 20th century, European countries began adjusting social insurance parameters to increasing life expectancy. The texts link the topic of benefits with demographics and the labor market. Forsal describes the growing number of very elderly people (including forecasts of tens of thousands of centenarians and around a million people aged 90+), noting that the majority will be women. TVN24 cites the debate on family policy instruments and whether the scale of cash transfers alone is sufficient to reverse fertility trends. Simultaneously, media warn about the consequences of working during sick leave and signal an increase in L4 (sick leave) controls, including those related to pregnancy. Some publications also describe planned or introduced changes to taxes on purchases of used goods and vehicles (raising limits and higher penalties), aimed at reducing minor formalities but simultaneously increasing the risk of costs due to errors.„nie będzie ani podatku zdrowotnego, ani podnoszenia wieku emerytalnego” (there will be neither a health tax nor an increase in the retirement age) — Ministry of FinanceKey Deadlines for Seniors (ZUS): 28 February 2026 — Deadline for income settlement; 1 March 2026 — Start of benefit indexation