An extra annual cash benefit, commonly referred to as the 13th pension (13. Emerytura) or simply the “thirteenth,” is available not only to seniors but also to individuals who have reached the age of 18, provided they meet certain statutory requirements. In the case of the 14th pension (14. Emerytura), also known as the “fourteenth,” there is a legal provision for granting it in an amount higher than the statutory minimum pension. Does this also apply to the 13th pension, and do eligible beneficiaries have a chance to receive a benefit in 2026 exceeding 1,978.49 zł?
The 2026 13th Pension: Who is Eligible and is it Exclusive to Seniors?
The additional annual cash benefit, as the “thirteenth” is officially termed in the Act of January 9, 2020, concerning additional annual cash benefits for pensioners and retirees, is available to individuals who on March 31st of the year in which the benefit is paid (in this case, March 31, 2026) have a legally established entitlement to one of the pension or annuity benefits, including:
- state pension or annuity,
- farmer’s pension or annuity,
- uniformed services pension or annuity,
- bridge pension,
- pre-retirement benefit or allowance,
- social annuity,
- teacher’s compensatory allowance,
- parental supplementary allowance,
- war veteran’s invalidity pension and military pensions.
Only one thirteenth pension can be received. In the case of a family pension received by multiple individuals, the additional annual cash benefit is divided equally among all eligible recipients.
Based on this list, the 13th pension is not limited to seniors, but also extends to individuals entitled to, for example, a disability pension. According to the latest statistics published by the Central Statistical Office (GUS) regarding pensions and annuities, 705,860 individuals received disability pensions in 2024.1 This group includes individuals of various ages, starting from 18-year-olds who may also qualify for the aforementioned pension, even if they do not meet the required contribution period, provided that:
- they were registered for insurance before the age of 18, or
- within six months of completing upper secondary or higher education, and
- had periods of contributions and non-contributory periods, with interruptions not exceeding six months, until the date of becoming disabled.
The 2026 13th Pension: Who is Ineligible Despite Being a Pensioner or Retiree?
Individuals who on March 31st of the year in which the benefit is paid (in this case, March 31, 2026) have a suspended entitlement to pension or annuity benefits (upon which the right to the thirteenth depends) – for example, due to exceeding the statutory earnings threshold – are not eligible for the 13th pension.
The right to a pension, disability pension, or family pension (if only one person is entitled to it) is suspended (with certain exceptions) when income exceeds 130% of the average monthly wage for the calendar quarter, most recently announced by the President of the Central Statistical Office.
The aforementioned income amount, exceeding which results in the suspension of pension or annuity benefits, is announced each quarter in the “Monitor Polski” (Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland) by the President of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) no later than the 14th working day of the second month of each calendar quarter, and also – for the entire past calendar year – no later than the 14th working day of November.
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Currently, i.e. from December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026 – according to the communication of the President of ZUS dated November 18, 2025, regarding the income amounts corresponding to 70% and 130% of the average monthly wage announced for the third quarter of 2025, used to reduce or suspend pensions and annuities – the income limit above which pension or annuity benefits are suspended is 11,403.30 zł (equivalent to 130% of the average monthly wage announced for the third quarter of 2025).
From March 1, 2026 – according to the communication of the President of ZUS dated February 12, 2026, regarding the income amounts corresponding to 70% and 130% of the average monthly wage announced for the fourth quarter of 2025, used to reduce or suspend pensions and annuities – the income limit above which pension or annuity benefits will be suspended is 11,957.20 zł (equivalent to 130% of the average monthly wage announced for the fourth quarter of 2025).
The legislator has provided certain exceptions to this rule. The right to a pension or, as appropriate, an annuity will not be suspended (regardless of income levels) in the case of:
- pensioners who have reached the retirement age of 60 (for women) or 65 (for men), unless the individual continues employment with an employer with whom they were employed immediately before the date of acquiring the right to a pension – in which case their right to receive a pension will be suspended regardless of income levels until the employment relationship is terminated and they submit an application to resume pension payments,
- entitlement to a partial pension,
- entitlement to a war veteran’s invalidity pension after residing in a camp or in isolated places, or a family pension after such an invalid, or
- entitlement to a military invalidity pension in connection with military service or a family pension after a soldier whose death was related to military service.
As a general rule – pensioners who have reached the statutory retirement age may earn without restrictions and, if they have a legally established right to a pension on March 31, 2026, will also receive the thirteenth pension.
The 2026 13th Pension: What is the Benefit Amount and Could it Exceed the Statutory Minimum Pension?
The 13th pension in 2026 will be paid in an amount equivalent to the minimum pension, i.e. 1,978.49 zł gross.
the amount of the 13th pension is not reduced if the amount of the pension or annuity benefit entitled to as of March 31, 2026, does not exceed 2,900 zł (as is the case with the 14th pension). The 13th pension is paid to all eligible recipients in the same amount – regardless of the amount of the pension or annuity benefit received.
Is it possible that the 13th pension in 2026 will be paid in an amount higher than the equivalent of the statutory minimum pension?
Unfortunately not – such authority (to establish an additional annual cash benefit) in an amount higher than the minimum pension amount – the Council of Ministers has exclusively regarding the “fourteenth” (i.e. the 14th pension), which is granted under the Act of May 26, 2023, on the next additional annual cash benefit for pensioners and retirees. Article 3(6) of this Act provides that taking into account the current socio-economic situation and the state of public finances – the Council of Ministers may determine, by regulation, a higher amount than the minimum pension amount used to determine the amount of the additional benefit (i.e. The 14th pension). Currently, however, nothing is known about the government working on any legislative function regarding a regulation that would increase the amount of this year’s fourteenth pension. As a general rule – such an increase is possible, but only for the fourteenth pension, and not the thirteenth (the Act of January 9, 2020, on the additional annual cash benefit for pensioners and retirees, which defines the rules for paying the 13th pension – does not provide for a similar authority for the Council of Ministers to increase the amount of the additional benefit).
In the context of the amount of the 13th pension, it is also worth mentioning that this benefit is exempt from all deductions (e.g. From enforcement proceedings) and enforcement. It is also not included in income when applying for social assistance, alimony, or a supplementary benefit for persons unable to support themselves. Only income tax and health insurance contributions are deducted from the 13th pension.
The 2026 13th Pension: When Will the Benefit Be Paid (Including by ZUS)?
The 13th pension is paid together with basic benefits (pension, annuity, etc.) in the payment period for these benefits falling:
- in April,
- and in the case of individuals receiving a pre-retirement benefit or allowance – in May.
the 13th pension in 2026 will be paid to eligible beneficiaries in April (or, respectively, in May) 2026, in the payment periods for pension and annuity benefits – it will reach pensioners and retirees together with their April pension or annuity (or, respectively, the May benefit or pre-retirement allowance).
Given that Easter Sunday falls on April 5th this year, and Easter Monday on April 6th, the payment schedule for pension and annuity benefits (with which eligible pensioners and retirees will receive the thirteenths) in April 2026 is as follows:
- April 1 (Wednesday),
- April 3 (Friday) – for benefits whose payment date is set for the 5th of the month, as April 5, 2026, falls on Easter Sunday,
- April 3 (Friday) – for benefits whose payment date is set for the 6th of the month, as April 6, 2026, falls on Easter Monday,
- April 10 (Friday),
- April 15 (Wednesday),
- April 20 (Monday) and
- April 24 (Friday) – for benefits whose payment date is set for the 25th of the month, as April 25, 2026, falls on a Saturday.
Individuals receiving a pre-retirement benefit or allowance will have the thirteenth paid together with the benefit for May 2026, where the payment schedule for pension and annuity benefits is as follows:
- April 30 (Thursday) – for benefits whose payment date is set for the 1st of the month, as May 1, 2026, is a State Holiday, a statutory day off,
- May 5 (Tuesday),
- May 6 (Wednesday),
- May 8 (Friday) – for benefits whose payment date is set for the 10th of the month, as May 10, 2026, falls on a Sunday,
- May 15 (Friday),
- May 20 (Wednesday) and
- May 25 (Monday).
The 2026 13th Pension: Is an Application Required to Receive the Benefit?
The 13th pension in 2026 will be paid automatically. No application is required. A decision on granting the additional annual cash benefit will be sent to each eligible pensioner and retiree.
According to Article 7(5) of the Act of January 9, 2020, on the additional annual cash benefit for pensioners and retirees, an appeal to the district court – labor and social security court may be filed against the decision of the paying authority (if ZUS refused to grant the benefit or paid the benefit in an incorrect amount) within one month from the date of delivery of the decision. The appeal is filed through the ZUS branch that issued the decision (in writing or orally to the record).
1 GUS, Pensions and Annuities in 2024, Warsaw 2025
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Legal basis:
- Act of January 9, 2020, on the additional annual cash benefit for pensioners and retirees (consolidated text, Journal of Laws of 2024, item 891)
- Act of May 26, 2023, on the next additional annual cash benefit for pensioners and retirees (consolidated text, Journal of Laws of 2025, item 183)
