Social pension

The social pension is granted to an adult recognised as totally incapable of work due to impairment of bodily functions that had occurred before he or she reached 18, or 25 years of age if the person 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 awarded on a permanent or temporary basis. If ZUS evaluating doctor or ZUS medical board establishes 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 1,780.96.

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 out 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).

ZUS issues decisions on social pensions and pays out 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 3,561.92. 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 178.10. 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.

For a person entitled to a social pension and a survivors’ pension from a pension provision system, the cumulation of benefits under the rules laid down in the Social Pension Act shall be carried out by the competent pension authority paying out the police or military survivors’ pension. The same authority is also responsible for the payment of benefits in the event of such a cumulation.

In 2023, ZUS paid out social pensions to 293.3 thousand people. The total amount of benefits was PLN 5,421.3 million.