Fourteenth pension Poland: who loses in 2026?

1 June 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Many Polish retirees face a cutoff for the fourteenth pension Poland in Sept 2026; learn who loses out and what expats should check.

The government will pay a one-off extra pension in September 2026, commonly called the fourteenth pension Poland. However, many retirees will receive reduced amounts or nothing at all due to strict income thresholds.

Table of Contents

How the fourteenth pension works and who qualifies

First, the extra payment equals the minimum statutory pension after the March 2026 indexation. Consequently, the gross amount set for 2026 equals 1,978.49 zł. Moreover, ZUS (the Social Insurance Institution in Poland) will deduct health contribution and income tax at source. Therefore the maximum net payment falls near 1,800.43 zł. However, most recipients will get between 1,563 zł and 1,801 zł net depending on tax situation.

Thresholds that cut or cancel the payment

Importantly, seniors lose one złoty from the bonus for every złoty above a 2,900 zł gross monthly pension. For example, a pensioner with 3,000 zł gross crosses the limit by 100 zł, so the bonus falls to 1,878.49 zł gross. Consequently, a pension of 4,000 zł gross reduces the bonus to 878.49 zł gross. Moreover, anyone with pension above 4,828.49 zł gross receives nothing. In addition, ZUS will not pay amounts under 50 zł gross. Therefore a seemingly generous indexation can paradoxically lower the extra payment for some recipients.

Practical steps and tax option EPD-21

In addition, ZUS pays the benefit automatically on the condition the person held pension rights on 31 August 2026. However, if a pension is suspended due to paid work, the retiree must file a request manually. Consequently, pensioners can try form EPD-21 to avoid monthly tax withholding. This form stops ZUS taking income tax in advance and can leave roughly 400 zł more per year across both the 13th and 14th payments. However, file this only if your total annual income stays below 30,000 zł. Otherwise, you may face a year-end tax bill and interest. Therefore consult a tax advisor or use PUE ZUS, the online portal, before August.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you live in Poland as an expat or your partner receives a Polish pension, check the ZUS decision note for the exact gross pension amount. ZUS is the institution that handles pensions and tax withholdings. In addition, many expats overlook PUE ZUS, the online account, so register early. Moreover, if you plan to work part-time while drawing a pension, remember suspension rules can affect eligibility. Therefore ask a bilingual advisor if you need help with EPD-21 or annual PIT reconciliation.

Experts argue the scheme discourages higher lifetime contributions. Consequently, some commentators call the structure unfair. Moreover, doctors of social security note the cut-off rewards lower pensions while penalising higher contributors. Therefore the measure benefits the poorest seniors, but penalises those who secured larger pensions by paying more contributions over their careers.

Finally, if your pension after the March rise approaches 2,900 zł gross, check immediately. Consequently, calculate the expected deduction by subtracting the excess over 2,900 zł from 1,978.49 zł. Moreover, if your pension exceeds 4,828.49 zł gross, expect no payment. Therefore review your decision and consider EPD-21 before August, and visit your local ZUS office or use PUE ZUS for precise guidance.

Source: Read original article

📚 Looking for more help settling in Poland? Browse our complete Expat Guides.