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Benefits for which ZUS is responsible

Benefits for which ZUS is responsible

29 April 2026

Pursuant to the Act of 13 October 1998 on the social insurance system, the Social Insurance Institution determines entitlements to social insurance benefits and pays them out. Under separate regulations, ZUS also pays out a number of non-contributory benefits. These benefits constitute an additional, non-insurance pillar of the Polish social security system.
The types of benefits that may be provided depending on current life situation are as follows:
1. In respect of sickness and maternity:
  • sickness allowance,
  • maternity allowance,
  • care allowance,
  • compensatory allowance,
  • rehabilitation benefit.
 
2. In respect of the long-term incapacity for work:
  • disability pension,
  • training pension.
 
3. In respect of old age:
  • old-age pension,
  • bridging pension,
  • nursing compensatory allowance to pensions,
  • teachers’ compensatory allowance.
 
4. In respect of the death of a breadwinner:
  • survivors’ pension, including its payment in cases of benefit overlap under the rules governing the so-called widow’s pension,
  • supplementary allowance to the survivors’ pension for a double orphan,
  • funeral grant.
 
5. In respect of an accident at work and occupational disease:
  • lump-sum compensation,
  • sickness allowance,
  • rehabilitation benefit,
  • compensatory allowance,
  • disability pension,
  • training pension,
  • survivors’ pension,
  • supplementary allowance to the survivors’ pension for a double orphan,
  • nursing supplementary allowance,
  • supplementary allowance for an injured veteran,
  • the benefit to cover the costs of dental services and prophylactic vaccinations, as well as the provision of orthopaedic appliances.
 
6. Other:
  • parental supplementary benefit (Mama 4+),
  • social pension,
  • pre-retirement benefit,
  • additional annual cash benefits for pensioners (the so-called 13th and 14th old-age pension).
  • supplementary benefit for persons incapable of independent existence (500+ for persons incapable of independent existence),
  • honorary benefit for persons who have reached the age of 100,
  • compensatory benefit for persons entitled to early retirement on account of caring for children requiring constant care,
  • medical rehabilitation within the framework of ZUS disability prevention,
  • subsidising, as part of ZUS accident prevention, activities of contribution payers intended to help maintain earning capacity throughout the period of professional activity,
  • compensatory benefits for communist opposition activists,
  • supporting benefits for people with disabilities.
 
7. Benefits for the family:
  • child-support benefit 800+,
  • ‘Good Start’ benefit,
  • benefits from the ‘Active Parent’ programme.