A supplemental annual cash benefit, commonly referred to as the 13th pension or simply “the 13th,” is available not only to seniors but as well to individuals who have reached the age of 18, provided they meet certain statutory conditions for receiving it. Regarding the 14th pension (also known as “the 14th”), there is a statutory “loophole” allowing it to be granted in an amount higher than the minimum pension guaranteed by law. Does this also apply to the 13th pension, and do eligible beneficiaries have a chance to receive the benefit in 2026 in an amount exceeding 1,978.49 zł?
The 13th Pension in 2026 [“the 13th” 2026] – Who is Eligible for the Benefit, and is it Only for Seniors?
The supplemental annual cash benefit, as the common “13th” is officially designated in the Act of January 9, 2020, concerning the additional annual cash benefit for retirees and pensioners – is available to individuals who have a legal entitlement to one of the pension or annuity benefits as of March 31 of the year in which the benefit is paid (in this case, March 31, 2026). This includes, but is not limited to:
- Classic-age or disability pensions in the general system,
- Farmers’ pensions or annuities,
- Uniformed services pensions or annuities,
- Bridge pensions,
- Pre-retirement benefits or allowances,
- Social pensions,
- Teacher’s compensatory allowance,
- Parental supplementary allowance,
- War veterans’ and military invalidity pensions.
Only one 13th pension can be received. In the case of a family pension received by multiple individuals, the supplemental annual cash benefit is divided equally among all eligible recipients.
Based on the above, the 13th pension is not limited to seniors but also extends to individuals entitled to, for example, a disability pension. According to the latest statistical data published by the Central Statistical Office (GUS) regarding pensions and annuities, 705,860 individuals were receiving disability pensions in 2024.1 This group includes individuals of various ages, starting from 18-year-olds who may also apply for the aforementioned pension, even if they do not meet the required contribution and non-contribution period, provided that:
- they were registered for insurance before the age of 18, or
- within six months of completing education at a secondary or higher education institution, and
- had periods of contributions and non-contributions, uninterrupted or with breaks not exceeding six months, until the date of disability.
The 13th Pension in 2026 [“the 13th” 2026] – Who is Not Eligible for the Benefit, Despite Being a Retiree or Pensioner?
Individuals who – as of March 31 of the year in which the benefit is paid (in this case, March 31, 2026) – had their entitlement to pension or annuity benefits suspended (from which the right to the 13th depends), for example, due to exceeding the statutory earnings threshold while receiving a pension or annuity, 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 GUS.
The aforementioned income amount, exceeding which results in the suspension of pension or annuity benefits, is announced each quarter in the “Monitor Polski” official gazette 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:
- retirees 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 the 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,
- having the right to a partial pension,
- having the right to a war veteran’s disability pension due to stay in a camp and in isolated places or a family pension after such an invalid, or
- having the right 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 – retirees who have reached the statutory retirement age can therefore earn without restrictions and, regardless of their income, will also receive the 13th pension if they have a legal entitlement to a pension as of March 31, 2026.
The 13th Pension in 2026 [“the 13th” 2026] – In What Amount is the Benefit Payable, and Can it be Granted in an Amount Higher Than the Equivalent of the Lowest Guaranteed Statutory Pension?
The 13th pension in 2026 will be payable 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 payable as of March 31, 2026, does not exceed 2,900 zł (as is the case with the 14th pension). The 13th pension is payable 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 payable in an amount higher than the equivalent of the guaranteed 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 so-called 14th pension (i.e. the fourteenth pension), which is payable under the Act of May 26, 2023, on the next additional annual cash benefit for retirees and pensioners. 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 work regarding a regulation that would increase the amount of this year’s 14th pension. As a general rule, such an increase is possible, but – only for the 14th pension, and not the 13th (the Act of January 9, 2020, on the additional annual cash benefit for retirees and pensioners, which defines the rules for paying the 13th pension – does not contain 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, We see also worth mentioning that this benefit is exempt from all deductions (e.g. From enforcement proceedings) and execution. 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 13th Pension in 2026 [“the 13th” 2026] – When Will the Benefit be Paid (e.g. 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 pre-retirement benefit or allowance – in May.
The 13th pension in 2026 will therefore be paid to eligible beneficiaries in April (or, respectively – in May) 2026, in the payment periods for pension and annuity benefits, i.e. – it will reach retirees and pensioners together with their April pension or annuity (or, respectively – the May benefit or pre-retirement allowance).
Given that Easter Sunday falls on April 5 this year, and Easter Monday on April 6, the payment schedule for pension and annuity benefits (with which eligible retirees and pensioners will receive the 13th pension) in April 2026 is as follows:
- April 1 (Wednesday),
- April 3 (Friday) – for benefits whose payment date is set for the 5th day of the month, as April 5, 2026, falls on Easter Sunday,
- April 3 (Friday) – for benefits whose payment date is set for the 6th day 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 day of the month, as April 25, 2026, falls on a Saturday.
Individuals receiving a pre-retirement benefit or allowance will have the 13th pension 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 day 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 day of the month, as May 10, 2026, falls on a Sunday,
- May 15 (Friday),
- May 20 (Wednesday) and
- May 25 (Monday).
The 13th Pension in 2026 [“the 13th” 2026] – Do You Need to Apply 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 retiree and pensioner.
According to Article 7(5) of the Act of January 9, 2020, on the additional annual cash benefit for retirees and pensioners, an appeal to the district court – labor and social security court can be filed against the decision of the paying authority (if ZUS refused to grant the benefit or pay the benefit in an incorrect amount) within one month from the date of delivery of the decision. The appeal is submitted 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 retirees and pensioners (consolidated text, Journal of Laws of 2024, item 891)
- Act of May 26, 2023, on the next additional annual cash benefit for retirees and pensioners (consolidated text, Journal of Laws of 2025, item 183)
