This is Adam Małysz’s pension. Seniors have something to envy

This year’s ski jumping season is slowly coming to an end. He will be remembered quite well in the fans’ memory, which is related to the unexpected success at the recent Winter Olympics Milan-Cortina 2026. Let us recall that 19-year-old Kacper Tomasiak won two medals individually, adding a third medal in the duet competition (together with Paweł Wąsek).

We are writing about an unexpected success, because during previous World Cup competitions, Poles rarely placed even in the top ten. It should be added, however, that during the Winter Games in the 21st century, it was the jumpers we could most often count on. Four years ago, Dawid Kubacki provided us with the only medal, Kamil Stoch had previously achieved great successes, and it all started with Adam Małysz, whose successes in 2001 initiated the “małyszomania” in Poland. The famous “Eagle from Wisła” won Olympic medals in 2002 and 2010. Just over a year after his last Olympics, he announced his retirement.

What kind of pension can Adam Małysz count on?

Małysz hasn’t been jumping for 15 years, which doesn’t mean he has nothing to do with ski jumping anymore. On the contrary. He has been the head of the Polish Ski Association since 2022 and, despite previous declarations, he does not rule out the possibility of running for another term.

Perhaps not everyone knows that he receives a pension despite being only 48 years old. It’s about Olympic retirement.

Let us remind you that the Olympic pension is a special benefit awarded to Polish athletes who won a medal at the Olympic Games. It has nothing to do with the classic pension received from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and does not require reaching the general retirement age. It is a form of honoring outstanding sports achievements.

To receive the benefit, several conditions must be met:

• win an Olympic medal in Polish colors,

• turn 40 years old,

• end your active sports career,

• have Polish citizenship and have not been convicted of an intentional crime by a final judgment.

The benefit is paid by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and is permanent. Its amount is the same for all eligible medalists and varies with the base amount for Civil Service Corps members. From January 1, 2026, the Olympic pension amounts to PLN 5,116.99 net per month and this is the amount received by, among others, Adam Małysz.