Polish pensioners are set to receive a 13th monthly pension payment in April 2026, with the amount tied to the minimum pension level. The payment, designed to provide additional financial support to retirees, will be disbursed alongside regular monthly pensions, though the exact dates vary depending on the pensioner’s standard payment schedule.
Individuals receiving their pensions on the 6th of the month will receive both their regular pension and the 13th pension payment on April 3, 2026, due to Easter Monday falling on April 6th. Those typically paid on the 25th will receive the combined payment on April 24, 2026, as the 25th falls on a Saturday.
The value of the 13th pension in 2026 is projected to be 1,970 Polish Zloty (PLN) gross, or approximately 1,800 PLN net, following a planned 4.88% increase in pension benefits in March. The final amount will be confirmed after the February announcement of the average wage and inflation rate by the President of the Central Statistical Office (GUS). This annual adjustment significantly influences retirees’ decisions regarding when to begin receiving pension benefits.
However, not all pensioners will be eligible for the 13th pension. Individuals receiving benefits from both the ZUS and KRUS systems will only receive one payment. Retired judges, prosecutors receiving pensions from state funds, and Olympic athletes with Olympic pensions are excluded from the program. The latter are funded by the Ministry of Sport.
Eligibility also hinges on having the right to a pension or benefit by March 31, 2026. Those who gain eligibility after this date will not receive the 13th pension payment. Individuals who took early retirement and exceed the income limit of 130% of the average wage from the previous quarter may also be ineligible.
The upcoming pension adjustments and the 13th pension payment reflect ongoing government efforts to support senior citizens, though eligibility criteria and benefit amounts remain subject to specific regulations and economic indicators. The planned increase in the minimum pension underscores the importance of monitoring inflation and wage growth for those relying on fixed incomes.
