No more waiting for the postman? The way pensions are paid is changing

• Already 80% of pensions and annuities paid by ZUS are transferred directly to bank accounts, which indicates the growing level of banking.
• The number of benefits delivered by post has been systematically decreasing – from 2.2 million in 2020 to 1.78 million in 2024.
• ZUS promotes transfers as a safer and more convenient form of payment, especially as part of educational campaigns aimed at seniors.

The level of banking is systematically growing - currently 80% of people to whom the Social Insurance Institution paid pensions and retirement benefits chose this method of payment - ZUS informed in a press release.

The number of benefits delivered by post has decreased. In December 2020, ZUS delivered 2.2 million benefits by post, while in 2024 - 1.78 million.

- Bank transfers mean not only convenience and time savings, but also increase financial security. We want our customers to freely use bank accounts and manage their money without exposing themselves to theft, fraud or other dangers. The program of banking benefits paid by ZUS is one of the elements of our strategy. It supports the state's actions in the area of ​​increasing non-cash turnover in the economy. Banking also has a positive impact on reducing the costs of our operations - said Monika Folaron from the ZUS press office.

According to the analysis of ZUS data, over 8.8 million long-term benefits were paid out in December last year. 79.7% of them were transferred directly to the beneficiaries' bank accounts.

- This is a clear signal that customers are becoming more comfortable using modern, faster and more automated forms of settlement - the press release stated.

Some long-term benefits are paid almost entirely into bank accounts. These include:

• teachers' compensatory benefits (98.8 percent),
• bridging pensions (96 percent),
• pre-retirement benefits (94.9 percent).

Pensions are also characterised by a high degree of banking (82.3%).

The lowest banking rates are visible in the case of benefits for people unable to live independently (43.3%), the "Mama 4+" program (47%) and social pensions (66.4%).

People who receive these benefits may have limited access to banking services. They do not use them because of digital or transport exclusion.

For several years now, ZUS has been providing educational support to these people and, on the occasion of Senior Days, is running an information campaign called "Safe, healthy, cashless".

Copyrighted material - reprint rules are specified in the regulations .