Navigating the 2025 widow’s Pension: Maximizing Your Benefits

The polish Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) is implementing changes to widow’s pensions, offering increased financial support to eligible individuals. With the valorisation of benefits, understanding the new limits and regulations is crucial. Expect an increase to the minimum pension to PLN 1,878.91 gross, and the maximum amount of the widow’s pension jumping to PLN 5,636.73 gross.

Key Changes to the Widow’s Pension in 2025

The Act of July 26, 2024, has brought significant amendments to the pension system, particularly concerning survivor’s benefits. A key aspect is the limit placed on the total amount of benefits, which is tied to the lowest pension paid by ZUS. let’s break down what this means for you.

Understanding the Benefit limit After Valorisation

Prior to march 1, 2025, the survivor’s pension, combined with a percentage of a second benefit, could not exceed three times the lowest pension, which was PLN 5,342.91. However, with the 5.5% valorisation of all pensions, including survivor’s pensions, these limits have been adjusted.

in connection with March valorisation,the situation has changed as follows:

• The minimum pension increased from PLN 1,780.97 to PLN 1,878.91 gross.
• The widow’s pension limit increased from PLN 5,342.91 to PLN 5,636.73 gross.

The widow’s pension, i.e. the sum of benefits in the intersection with a survivor’s pension, cannot thus exceed three times the lowest pension.

ZUS Actions When Benefit Sum Exceeds the Limit

What happens if the total amount of benefits received exceeds the established limit? According to ZUS,”If the sum of benefits in the intersection (i.e. the widow’s pension) exceeds three times the lowest pension,ZUS will reduce the benefits of the amount of exceeding.” This reduction is implemented systematically, starting with benefits financed from the state budget.

Order of Benefit Reduction

The order of benefit reduction is as follows:

• Benefits from the retirement and disability supply of professional soldiers.
• Benefits from the retirement and disability supply of police officers, the Office of State Protection, Internal Security Agency, Intelligence Agency, Military Counterintelligence Service, Military Intelligence Service, the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, Border guard, Marshal Guard, Government Protection Bureau, State Protection Service, State Fire Service, Customs and Customs Service and Prison Service.
• Other benefits.

What later? Then, successively, will be reduced:

• Benefits financed from the retirement and Tempire Fund of the Agricultural social Insurance Fund.
• Benefits financed from the Labor Fund.
• Benefits financed from the bridging pension fund.
• Benefits financed from the Social Insurance Fund.

Eligibility Criteria for the Widow’s Pension in 2025

To be eligible for the widow’s pension under the new rules, specific conditions must be met.These include:

• Reaching the retirement age specified in art. 24 para. 1 of the Act on pensions from the Social Insurance Fund.
• Remaining in marital community until the day of the spouse’s death.
• Acquiring the right to a survivor’s pension after a deceased spouse not earlier than 5 years before reaching the retirement age specified in art. 24 para. 1 of the Act on pensions from the Social Insurance Fund.

It’s important to note that “The payment of benefits stops on the day preceding the day of entering into a new marriage by an authorized person.”

Calculating the Widow’s Pension: Combining benefits

The new law introduces the principle that you can combine a survivor’s pension with your own retirement or disability benefit. This means receiving either 100% of one benefit and 25% of the other.

This principle will be introduced in the walking model:

• first from July 1 to December 31, 2025, the second benefit in the intersection might potentially be charged at 15%.
• in the period from January 1 to December 31, 2026 – in the amount of 15%.
• and from January 1, 2027 – in the amount of 25%.

In 2028, the Council of Ministers will make verification of the amount of benefits in the intersection in order to assess the possibilities and legitimacy of its increase.Which is explicitly provided for in the Act.

Payment of a survivor’s pension in the intersection with “own” benefit, under the so -called Wdowiej pensions will take place from the month of submission of the submission, but not earlier than from July 1, 2025, that benefits in the intersection, under the so -called Wdowiej pensions could have been paid from July 1, 2025. The application to determine the intersection of benefits with survivors’ pension should be submitted by July 31, 2025 at the latest.

Real-World Application: ZUS Examples

Below are examples provided by ZUS will help you understand how it effectively works.

Exmaple 1: Combining Survivor’s Pension with Disability and Accident Benefits

question: I have the right to a survivor’s pension. Currently, I am collecting a pension with a disability pension due to work in connection with an occupational disease as a more favorable benefit.Which of these benefits will be included in the calculation of the total amount of widow’s pension?

Answer: We will accept all three benefits to calculate the total amount of the Wdowiej pension. Depending on the choice, the authorized person will be able to receive:

• 100% of a survivor’s pension, 15% pension and 50% of the incapacity for work with accident insurance or
• 100% of pension, 15% of a survivor’s pension and 50% of the incapacity for work with accident insurance, or
• 100% pension for incapacity for work with accident insurance 15% of a survivor’s pension, 50% of pension.

Example 2: survivor’s Pension and Own Retirement

Question: I have a family pension after my husband and my own retirement. I meet the conditions for the payment of the widow’s pension. What maximum height of the connected benefits can I receive?

Answer: You can receive 100% of one benefit and 15% of the other benefit, with the sum of the combined benefits cannot exceed three times the lowest pension. If the sum of benefits exceeds this amount, we will reduce the payment by the amount of exceeding.

This limit is also included in benefits paid by foreign institutions and other than one -off benefits and allowances paid on the basis of the Act or separate provisions together with the services indicated in the Act, whose total payment will be steadfast.

Example 3: Widower with Pension and Son Receiving Survivor’s Pension

Question: I am a 65-year-old widower and I am a pension. the wife died three years ago, and our son receives a family pension. If I submit an application for a survivor’s pension for myself, I will meet the conditions for the payment of the widow’s pension. In the widow’s application, I intend to ask for a 100% pension and 15% of a survivor’s pension. How will ZUS calculate the widow’s pension?

Answer: Currently, your son receives a survivor’s pension of 85% of the benefit that your wife was entitled to.If you apply for a survivor’s pension for yourself,then the survivor’s pension will amount to 90% of the benefit that your wife was entitled to. Then the amount of survivor’s pension determined in this way will be divided into two equal parts. Your son will receive half of the survivor’s pension, and the lord 100% of the pension and 15% of the half of the family pension.

High Application Volume

The new widow’s pension has generated significant interest. According to ZUS, as of early this year, “the Social Insurance Institution was received by exactly 503 816 applications”, showing how much help is needed. This high volume underscores the importance of understanding the eligibility requirements and application process.

Conclusion: Secure Your Widow’s Pension Benefits

The 2025 widow’s pension represents a significant possibility for eligible individuals to enhance their financial security.By understanding the new regulations, eligibility criteria, and calculation methods, you can maximize your benefits and ensure a more stable future. Don’t delay—review your eligibility and submit your application to ZUS before July 31, 2025, to take full advantage of these important changes.