Social pension

The social pension is granted to an adult recognised as totally incapable of work due to impairment of bodily functions, which had occurred before he/she reached 18 years of age, or 25 years of age if he/she was attending a school or a tertiary level school. This benefit is also granted if the impairment of bodily functions occurred during education at doctoral school, doctoral studies or scientific post-graduate studies.

The right to the social pension may be granted on a permanent or temporary basis. If ZUS certifying doctor or ZUS medical board establish that total incapacity for work is permanent, the eligible person is entitled to a permanent social pension. However, if they establish incapacity for work for a definite period, the person concerned is entitled to periodic social pension (for the period indicated in ZUS decision). Persons interested in extension of their social pension period, should apply for re-establishment of the right to this benefit.

The social pension amounts to 100% of the minimum pension in respect of total incapacity for work, i.e. PLN 1,338.44.

ZUS will reduce the social pension by the amount of the excess when the eligible person has earned in a given month an income higher than 70% of the average monthly wage/salary for the previous quarter and has not exceeded 130% of that remuneration.

ZUS will pay the social pension in full if the eligible person has earned in a given month an income lower than 70% of the average monthly wage/salary for the preceding calendar quarter. It is announced by the President of the Statistics Poland (GUS).

Starting from 1 January 2022, in the case of obtaining income from activities subject to compulsory social insurance, a social pensioner will be able, without consequences for the amount of the pension, to obtain income amounting to up to 70% of the average wage/salary (from 1 September 2022 – PLN 4,309.40), while the social pension will be suspended in the case of obtaining such income in the amount exceeding 130% of the average wage/salary (PLN 8,003.20). Income between 70% and 130% of the average wage/salary will result in a reduction of the social pension, but not more than by the maximum reduction amount (from 1 March 2022 – PLN 691.94).

ZUS issues decisions on social pensions and pays these benefits. They are financed from the state budget.

If a person is entitled to both a social pension and a survivors’ pension, ZUS reduces the social pension. The total amount of both benefits may not exceed 200% of the minimum pension in respect of total incapacity for work, that is PLN 2,676.88. At the same time, the amount of social pension may not be lower than 10% of the minimum pension in respect of total incapacity for work, that is PLN 133.84. When the amount of the survivors’ pension exceeds 200% of the minimum pension in respect of total incapacity for work, the social pension is not granted.

In 2021, ZUS paid social pensions to 289.4 thousand people. The total amount of benefits was PLN 4,274.3 million.