New support from ZUS from May 2025. First payments to start soon

• From March 1, 2025, the social pension has been increased and amounts to PLN 1,878.91 gross
• The indexation took into account the average inflation and salary growth from the previous year.
• From May 2025, an additional supplement will be introduced for people who are completely incapable of working and living independently.
• The benefit after indexation amounts to PLN 2,610.72 gross and is paid automatically or upon request.
• Exceeding the threshold of PLN 2,552.39 gross in total benefits results in the loss of the right to the supplementary benefit
• The new regulations result from the act amending the provisions on social pensions of 27 September 2024.

The benefit known as a social pension is available to people who are completely incapable of working due to a permanent or temporary impairment of their body functions .

The right to a social pension may be obtained by persons whose incapacity arose:

• before reaching the age of 18,
• during studies until the age of 25,
• during doctoral studies or scientific postgraduate studies.

To receive a social pension, in addition to the application, it is necessary to submit to ZUS:

• current health certificate (OL-9 form),
• medical records,
• confirmation of learning,
• or - in the case of employed persons - certificates from the contribution payer,
• professional interview (form OL-10).

Farmers must also submit documents relating to the land they own.

The indexation carried out on March 1, 2025 increased the minimum amount of the social pension to PLN 1,878.91 gross . Before the change, this benefit amounted to PLN 1,780.96. The indexation mechanism takes into account both average inflation and the increase in the average salary from the previous year.

The introduction of the supplement is one of the biggest news for pensioners in 2025.

The supplement is available to persons who are:

• completely incapable of working,
• and for independent existence.

This benefit is paid together with the social pension, and the first transfers will start in May 2025.

The supplementary allowance included compensation for the period from January 2025. In January and February, its amount was PLN 2,520 gross, while after the March indexation it increased to PLN 2,610.72 gross .

An application for the supplement is not required for people who were already granted a social pension and were declared completely incapable of work and independent living as of 1 January 2025. These people will receive the benefit automatically, and the information will appear on their account in the PUE ZUS system .

In turn, pensioners who, on 1 January, only had a certificate of incapacity for work, but not of incapacity for independent living, must apply for the supplement on their own by submitting the EDD-SOC form available at ZUS branches or online .

The following are deducted from the supplementary allowance amount:

• health insurance contributions,
• advance payment of income tax.

The benefit may also be subject to enforcement by a bailiff on the same principles as a social pension.

The introduction of the supplementary supplement changes the rules for receiving the supplementary benefit . If the sum of all benefits of a person exceeds PLN 2,552.39 gross (the limit in force from March 2025 ), the right to the supplementary benefit will be lost. This applies to situations in which, after granting the supplementary supplement, the income threshold is exceeded.

New regulations are introduced by the Act of 27 September 2024 amending the Act on Social Pension and certain other acts. The basis for benefits remains the Act of 27 June 2003 on Social Pension.

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