Urgent announcement from ZUS regarding widow’s pension. Will the benefit increase?
ZUS confirms the increase in widow’s pension. The benefit received by almost one million seniors will increase next year.
A widow’s pension is a combination of two benefits: your own benefit (e.g. old-age pension or disability pension) and a survivor’s pension after your deceased spouse. We are talking about the so-called overlap of benefits.
When will widow’s pension increase?
People who have lost their spouse can receive one benefit in full and the other at 15%. However, soon there will be a change in this respect that will be beneficial for widows and widowers. – From January 1, 2027, the share of the second benefit will increase from 15 to 25%. In practice, this means even greater financial support for widows and widowers – informs the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS).
The data presented by the authority shows that 993.4 thousand people are currently receiving benefits. seniors, and only in the first half of this year the total amount of benefits paid under widow’s pension amounted to over PLN 22.8 billion. Of this, PLN 1.93 billion were additional amounts resulting from the payment of 15%. second benefit.
The average payment of widow’s pension benefits in June amounted to PLN 3,949.43. The average amount resulting from the addition of 15 percent. the second benefit is PLN 379.10.
Who is entitled to the benefit?
The right to a widow’s pension is granted to a widow or widower who:
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have reached retirement age – 60 for women and 65 for men,
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they remained married until the death of their spouse,
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they acquired the right to a survivor’s pension after their deceased spouse no earlier than after the woman turned 55 or the man turned 60,
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they are not currently married.
ZUS reminds that the right to a widow’s pension is granted to the last deceased spouse. If an eligible person remarries, he or she will lose the right to receive benefits concurrently.
An additional condition for eligibility for a widow’s pension is that the sum of both benefits cannot exceed three times the minimum pension. Currently, it is PLN 5,935.48 gross. If the total amount of benefits exceeds this limit, ZUS will reduce the payment by the amount exceeded.
