Poland’s Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) announced on February 13, 2026, that pension and disability benefits, as well as associated allowances, will be adjusted upwards effective March 1, 2026. The increase will be applied automatically to all eligible recipients, eliminating the need for individual applications, and will amount to a 5.3 percent rise.
Pension, Disability, and Allowance Adjustments Effective March 1, 2026
The adjustment is based on Article 89, paragraph 1 of the Act of December 17, 1998, concerning pensions and benefits from the Social Insurance Fund. This legislation stipulates that the indexation rate for pensions and benefits is determined by the average annual price index of consumer goods and services from the previous calendar year, increased by at least 20 percent of the real growth in average wages during the same period.
According to a regulation issued by the Council of Ministers on July 31, 2025, the increase for 2026 was set at the minimum permissible level – 20 percent of the real growth in average wages. The government opted not to increase this figure, likely due to budgetary constraints. The official regulation can be found in the Journal of Laws of 2025, position 1048.
The government had initially projected a 4.88 percent indexation rate in its budget proposal. But, the definitive rate was established on February 11, 2026, following the release of key data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), including:
– The average price index of consumer goods and services in 2025 (typically published by GUS around January 15th of the following year).
– The average price index of consumer goods and services for retired and pensioner households in 2025 (too typically published by GUS around January 15th).
– The real growth in average wages in 2025 (typically published by GUS between February 9th and 11th of the following year).
According to an official announcement from the Minister of Family, Labor and Social Policy on February 11, 2026, the indexation rate for pensions and benefits in 2026 is 105.3 percent. This translates to a 5.3 percent increase in pensions, benefits, and allowances compared to the amounts in effect through the end of February. The official communication can be found in Monitor Polski 2026, position 202.
ZUS: Pensions and Benefits to Increase from March 2026
ZUS annually adjusts long-term benefit payments. This year’s adjustment will be solely based on a percentage increase. The indexation rate for pensions and benefits is 105.3 percent, calculated based on the average annual price index of consumer goods and services for retired and pensioner households from the previous calendar year, increased by at least 20 percent of the real growth in average wages during the same period.
Impact on Minimum Pension Levels
As a result of this year’s indexation, the minimum pension, family pension, and disability pension will increase by 99.58 PLN, reaching 1,978.49 PLN gross.
The social pension will also be increased to 1,978.49 PLN.
A partial disability pension will be worth 1,483.87 PLN from March 1, 2026.
the maximum supplementary benefit amount for individuals unable to support themselves will increase by 135.28 PLN, bringing the total to 2,687.67 PLN.
Alongside the increase in basic long-term benefits, allowances and cash benefits will also be adjusted. This includes the care allowance, the orphan’s allowance, and other long-term benefits.
The pre-retirement benefit will amount to 1,993.76 PLN gross, the orphan’s allowance will increase to 689.17 PLN, and the care allowance will reach 366.68 PLN. the care allowance for a war invalid recognized as totally disabled and unable to support themselves will be 550.02 PLN, while the energy allowance will be 336.16 PLN. The indexation applies to benefits granted through the end of February 2026.
Automatic Adjustments, with Official Notification
No applications are required for the indexation process, as it is carried out automatically for all eligible individuals. Benefit recipients can check the details of their indexation on their account on the ZUS Electronic Services Platform. Each pensioner and beneficiary will also receive a decision detailing the novel amount of their benefit, including the gross pension amount as of the end of February, the indexation rate, and the gross pension amount after indexation. The decision will also include information on the amount of any care allowance received.
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