Polish seniors face pension overhaul as courts award large settlements and more workers stay employed past retirement

Poland’s ageing population is straining the pension system. GUS data shows the country now hosts about 38.8 million residents, including 2.3 million foreigners, and a growing share of people aged 60+. Health surveys reveal rising chronic‑illness rates among the 45‑54 age group, increasing pressure on employers and social security.

The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) reports that in December 2025 879 500 pensioners were simultaneously employed, a 53 % rise over a decade, indicating that the statutory retirement ages of 60 for women and 65 for men no longer mark the end of work life. At the same time, courts are repeatedly overturning ZUS calculations for those who retired early before June 2012. Appeal courts in Szczecin, Poznań, Katowice and Białystok have ordered back‑pay and lump‑sum compensation ranging from ≈ 20 000 zł to over 62 000 zł, with monthly increases of up to ≈ 3 500 zł.

Legislators are drafting reforms to automatically recalculate benefits for early retirees and to broaden which periods (e.g., freelance contracts, caregiving, studies) count toward pension eligibility. ZUS has also launched a digital “Information on the Insured’s Account” (IOSKU) service, giving over 12 million users online access to their projected pensions.