14. The pension is invalid in this case. The new benefit from ZUS is a threat

Since July, ZUS has been paying a new benefit to eligible persons, i.e. widow's pension
The maximum widow's pension can amount to PLN 5,636.73 gross (i.e. three times the minimum pension)
In turn, this year's fourteenth pension in its full amount will amount to PLN 1,878.91 gross (the amount of the current minimum pension)
However - as Infor.pl points out - the mechanism of combining the pension with part of the survivor's pension means increasing the senior's total income, which may result in, for example, reducing the fourteenth

50% to your salary every month. New regulations have come into effect: PESEL decides

On July 18, the ZUS money will be transferred to your account. Good news for 2 million Poles.

ZUS pays for the care of a sick parent. Two documents are enough.

The widow's pension was introduced to support single seniors. The maximum amount of the widow's pension is PLN 5,636.73 gross (three times the minimum pension).

The new benefit will be granted upon application after meeting certain conditions:

you must have reached retirement age of 60 for women and 65 for men,
remain in the marital community until the death of the spouse,
acquire the right to a survivor's pension after the death of a spouse no earlier than before reaching the age of 55 (women) and 60 (men).

However, widows and widowers can choose whether to receive the entire survivor's pension and 15% of their own benefit, or vice versa. As of January 1, 2027, the latter benefit will be increased to 25%. This choice is also available to individuals entitled to a pre-retirement allowance or benefit, a bridging pension, a teacher's compensation benefit, or a training pension.

So far , ZUS has launched benefit payments in conjunction with survivors' pensions for a total amount of PLN 1,449.8 million (including PLN 148.7 million of benefits paid at 15%).

They take the L4 and quickly go to Poland. A new practice has been discovered.

14. Pension and the "zloty for zloty" mechanism

The government's agenda includes information on a draft regulation of the Council of Ministers on determining the month of payment of the next additional annual cash benefit for retirees and pensioners in 2025.

According to the regulations prepared by the Ministry of Labor, the 14th pension, as in previous years, will be paid in September.

This year, the full amount of the fourteenth pension will be PLN 1,878.91 gross, which is the current minimum pension . According to the law, the full amount is available to individuals whose basic benefit, such as a pension or disability pension, does not exceed PLN 2,900 gross. After this amount is exceeded, the benefit will be reduced on a zloty-for-zloty basis.

This supplement is prohibited in combination with coffee

The impact of widow's pension on the 14th pension

As Infor.pl explains, the introduction of a widow's pension does mean additional financial opportunities for seniors, but on the other hand it has raised many concerns about the impact of this benefit on other forms of support, including the fourteenth pension.

The portal added that the mechanism of combining the pension with part of the survivor's pension means in practice an increase in the senior's total income, which may result in a reduction of the fourteenth pension or its complete absence.

Even a small excess of the PLN 2,900 gross threshold translates into financial losses for retirees. According to Infor.pl, this applies particularly to those who previously fell within the threshold entitling them to the full 14th pension. After the introduction of the widow's pension, their income increased significantly, resulting in the additional benefit being reduced or lost entirely.