Widow's pension. Don't delay in applying

Over 37 thousand applications for the so-called widow's pension have been submitted so far in our province. The Szczecin ZUS accepted 23.3 thousand applications, in Koszalin 13.8 thousand were registered. In the whole of Poland – 785 thousand.

The widow’s pension will be granted from the month in which the application is received, but not earlier than July 1, 2025.

– This is not a new benefit – says Karol Jagielski, regional spokesman for the Social Insurance Institution in the West Pomeranian province. – It is a possibility for a widow or widower to combine the payment of a family pension with another benefit, e.g. their own retirement pension. However, being a widow or widower and being entitled to two benefits is not enough to receive a widow's pension. The following conditions must be met: be at least 60 years old (women) or 65 years old (men), remain in a marital community with your spouse until the day of their death, acquire the right to a family pension after the deceased spouse no earlier than before reaching the age of 55 (women) and 60 (men). Additionally, you cannot currently be married.

A widow or widower is entitled to the concurrence of benefits with the survivor's pension only after the last spouse. The payment of these benefits ceases on the day preceding the contraction of a new marriage by the entitled person.

A widow or widower may choose whether they want to receive 100 percent of the survivor’s pension and 15 percent of their own benefit or vice versa.

– It is worth noting that from 1 January 2027 the second benefit will be increased from 15 to 25 percent – ​​Karol Jagielski points out. – Such a choice will also be available to people entitled to pre-retirement allowance or benefit, bridging pension, teacher's compensatory benefit or training pension.

The amount of the combined benefits cannot exceed three times the amount of the lowest pension. The limit also includes benefits paid by foreign institutions and other than one-off benefits and allowances granted on the basis of the act or separate regulations. If the sum of the benefits is higher than three times the lowest pension, the benefit will be reduced by the amount exceeded.

(W)