At the beginning of July, payments of the so-called widow’s pension were launched. Over one million applications for the benefit have been submitted to all pension and disability institutions, with the vast majority going to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). On the first day, nearly 317 million PLN was paid to 86,000 people, of which over 30 million PLN was the amount by which payments increased due to the application of the combined benefits rule.
“The widow’s pension is not a new benefit but the combination of two benefits: the existing one — a pension, disability pension, or survivor’s pension — with a second benefit. The widow or widower chooses the more advantageous benefit in full and additionally receives 15% of the second benefit. For example, if historically the family pension after a deceased spouse was more favorable, the person keeps that pension and additionally receives 15% of their own benefit,” explains Paweł Jaroszek, member of the ZUS board, in an interview with Newseria.
Thanks to the new arrangements, widows and widowers can receive their own pension increased by a portion of the family pension from the deceased spouse, or receive the family pension together with part of their own pension. ZUS data shows that in 60% of cases, the combined benefit consists of 100% of the family pension plus 15% of the applicant’s own benefit.
“This year and next, it is 15% of the second benefit. Starting from 2027, it will increase to 25%,” reminds Paweł Jaroszek.
ZUS is one of the institutions implementing the widow’s pension law and will process about 90% of all applications. From January 1 to June 27, 2025, ZUS received approximately 972,000 applications, and all pension and disability institutions have received over one million. Other institutions include the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS) and the Military Pension Office (WBE).
ZUS made the first combined benefit payments on July 1, totaling 316.8 million PLN. This amount includes payments made in full — approximately 286.5 million PLN — and payments made at 15% — approximately 30.2 million PLN. Benefits have already been transferred to 86,000 people. According to ZUS estimates, the average widow’s pension amount is about 350 PLN.
“To receive payment for July, the application must be submitted by the end of this month. Each month of delay will simply result in losing one month’s benefit,” stresses the ZUS board member.
To qualify for the widow’s pension, applicants must meet all the following conditions: appropriate age (60 for women, 65 for men), being married to the deceased spouse until the date of death, obtaining the right to the family pension after the deceased spouse not earlier than at age 55 for women and 60 for men, and not currently being married. ZUS will also deny the benefit if the amount of at least one of the combined benefits exceeds or equals three times the minimum pension amount (about 5,636 PLN in 2025). So far, ZUS has issued 8,600 negative decisions.
The expert also reminds that after a deceased spouse, one can inherit funds accumulated on the ZUS subaccount — the so-called second pillar, into which 7.3% of the pension contribution base is paid if the insured did not join an Open Pension Fund (OFE).
“Depending on whether our spouse or the person who designated us as a beneficiary was a member of an open pension fund at the time of death, the payout process starts with that fund initiating payments. Then ZUS follows with payments in a similar manner as the open pension fund. If the deceased was not a member of an open pension fund, then ZUS is the first and only institution responsible,” explains Paweł Jaroszek. “These are separate elements — inheriting from the subaccount does not exclude applying for the widow’s pension.”
