Poland pension updates: ZUS and KRUS payouts and legislative changes

Poland's social security landscape is seeing several significant developments regarding pension payments and benefits. ZUS and KRUS have begun distributing the 14th pension for September 2026. The maximum gross amount for this one-time payment is 1,978.49 PLN, though amounts may be reduced for those with higher primary pensions based on a 'zloty-for-zloty' rule.

Legislative updates include the Sejm's near-unanimous decision to support changes to the widow's pension (renta wdowia), a program already benefiting over one million seniors. Additionally, specific groups are seeing adjustments: women born in 1961 are receiving pension recalculations due to the expiration of certain capital pension periods, and centenarians continue to receive an honorary benefit of approximately 6,938.92 PLN gross monthly.

Other notable provisions include the 'Mama 4 Plus' supplementary parental benefit, which provides up to 1,978.49 PLN for those who raised at least four children. Meanwhile, discussions regarding the potential raising of the retirement age continue to surface due to demographic shifts, though no new laws have been enacted. Finally, experts note that heirs can claim funds from deceased individuals' ZUS sub-accounts, an option currently utilized by only about 20 percent of eligible people.