Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki is moving to address rising living costs and bolster support among the country’s pensioners with a newly approved plan to increase minimum pension payments. The “dignified Pension” initiative, slated for implementation in March 2026, would guarantee a minimum benefit increase of 150 złoty, bringing the total to approximately 2,030 złoty and also include increases to the 13th and 14th monthly payments.The proposal now heads to the Sejm, where its funding mechanisms and potential impact on the state budget are expected to face scrutiny.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has approved a plan to increase the country’s lowest pension payments, a move aimed at bolstering support among senior citizens and addressing concerns about the rising cost of living. The “Dignified Pension” initiative, slated to take effect in 2026, will see a minimum benefit increase of 150 złoty, bringing the total to approximately 2,030 złoty. The plan also includes increases to the 13th and 14th monthly pension payments.
rozwiń >
“Dignified Pension” Initiative Launched by President Nawrocki
Table of Contents
- “Dignified Pension” Initiative Launched by President Nawrocki
- “Dignified Pension” – Goals and Rationale
- Mechanism for Minimum Pension Increases
- Criticism and Costs of the “Dignified Pension” Project
- Funding Requirements for the “Dignified Pension” Project
- “Dignified Pension” Project and Political Doubts
On November 3, 2025, President Karol Nawrocki signed and submitted to the Sejm – Poland’s lower house of parliament – a draft amendment to the Act on Pensions and Disability Benefits from the Social Insurance Fund. The initiative, dubbed “Dignified Pension,” is intended to strengthen the President’s position as an advocate for the interests of Polish seniors.
“Dignified Pension” – Goals and Rationale
The primary goal of the “Dignified Pension” project is to establish a mechanism for minimum benefit indexation, protecting those receiving the lowest pensions – particularly those below 3,000 złoty – from the erosion of purchasing power due to inflation. President Nawrocki argued that Poland in the 21st century should guarantee a minimum pension of at least 2,000 złoty. He emphasized that current younger retirees (born around 1960–1965) represent a generation that worked hard during the difficult period of the 1990s’ systemic transformation and contributed to the development of the Polish economy, and therefore deserve adequate support. He criticized previous increases as being symbolically small, such as 3, 13, or 20 złoty.
Mechanism for Minimum Pension Increases
The “Dignified Pension” project proposes a combination of percentage-based and fixed-amount indexation. This means that if the standard annual percentage increase results in a benefit increase lower than the established minimum amount (150 złoty), the benefit will be supplemented with a payment to reach that guaranteed value. From March 2026, minimum pensions and disability benefits are expected to increase by at least 150 złoty. As a result, the minimum pension in 2026 is projected to reach over 2,000 złoty, specifically around 2,030 złoty. The guaranteed 150 złoty increase would also apply to supplemental benefits, such as the 13th and 14th pensions.
Criticism and Costs of the “Dignified Pension” Project
Paweł Łapiński of the Jagiellonian Club acknowledges that Polish pensions are often too low. He cites data indicating:
- The minimum social assistance for a single pensioner in the second quarter of 2025 was 1,897.97 złoty.
- The current minimum gross pension is 1,878.91 złoty (1,709.81 złoty net), barely covering basic needs.
- Importantly, over 430,000 people – primarily women – receive even lower pensions due to insufficient work history.
Funding Requirements for the “Dignified Pension” Project
Implementing the “Dignified Pension” project will require significant additional expenditure from the state budget, estimated at:
Dalszy ciąg materiału pod wideo
- Approximately 2 billion złoty in 2026.
- Approximately 3.4 billion złoty in 2027.
- Approximately 4.5 billion złoty in 2028.
Łapiński notes that the final costs will depend on future inflation forecasts from the National Bank of Poland. President Nawrocki hopes that funds to cover these expenses will be obtained from the state budget, utilizing increased revenues resulting from inflation. The initiative comes as policymakers across Europe grapple with the challenges of ensuring adequate retirement income in an era of demographic shifts and economic uncertainty.
“Dignified Pension” Project and Political Doubts
A commentator from the Jagiellonian Club expressed skepticism regarding the funding sources, suggesting that the project either relies on an unrealistic assumption of magically covering the costs or is a deliberate political action (a pursuit of a power shift). He assesses that if the Sejm adopts the President’s proposals, the government will have to make painful cuts in other areas or increase state debt.
