From January 2027, Polish widows and widowers will see their benefits rise by as much as 400 PLN per month. The government is increasing the share of the second pension from 15% to 25%, allowing survivors to combine their own pension with a portion of their deceased spouse’s benefit.
Currently, about one million people in Poland receive a survivor’s pension. The so-called widow’s pension allows combining one’s own retirement benefit with part of the benefit of the deceased spouse. However, the total payment is capped at three times the minimum pension, which currently amounts to 5,935.47 PLN gross per month.
Higher benefits for thousands of seniors
The new regulations, effective January 1, 2027, will increase the combined income for many households. According to calculations cited by the daily Fakt, a widow receiving 1,500 PLN from her own pension and 2,500 PLN from her husband’s pension could see her monthly total rise by 250 PLN. The maximum possible increase is estimated at 400 PLN for those with higher benefits.
– The change is automatic and does not require any additional applications – explained a spokesperson for the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy.
Automatic recalculation by ZUS
The widow or widower will keep 100% of their own pension and receive 25% of the survivor’s pension (instead of the current 15%). The total combined amount must still not exceed three times the minimum old-age pension. The government expects the reform to lift many seniors out of financial hardship.
The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) will automatically recalculate benefits for all eligible persons starting from October 2026 to ensure timely payments in January 2027. Beneficiaries do not need to submit any documents or applications.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/RomanR
