Additional annual cash benefits, commonly referred to as the 13th pension or simply the “13th,” are available not only to seniors but also to individuals who meet certain statutory conditions to receive it, even those over the age of 18. 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 could eligible beneficiaries receive a benefit in 2026 exceeding 1,978.49 zł?
The 13th Pension in 2026 – Who is Eligible for the Benefit, and is it Exclusively for Seniors?
The additional annual cash benefit, as the common term “13th pension” is defined in the Act of January 9, 2020, on additional annual cash benefits for pensioners and beneficiaries – is available to individuals who on March 31 of the year in which the benefit is paid (in this case, March 31, 2026) have a legal entitlement to one of the pension and annuity benefits, including:
- Old-age or disability pensions in the general system,
- Farmer’s pensions,
- Uniformed services pensions,
- Bridge pensions,
- Pre-retirement benefits or allowances,
- Social pensions,
- Teacher’s compensatory allowances,
- Parental supplementary allowances,
- War veterans’ and military invalidity pensions.
Only one 13th pension can be received. In the case of a family pension paid to several people, the additional annual cash benefit is divided equally among all eligible individuals.
Based on the above list, the 13th pension is not only for seniors but also for individuals entitled to, for example, a disability pension. According to the latest data published by the Central Statistical Office (GUS), 705,860 people were receiving disability pensions in 2024.1 Among them are people of various ages, starting from 18-year-olds, who can also apply 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 6 months after completing education at a secondary or higher school, and
- had periods of contributions and non-contributory periods, with or without interruptions not exceeding 6 months, until the date of disability.
The 13th Pension in 2026 – Who is Not Entitled to the Benefit Despite Being a Pensioner or Beneficiary?
Individuals who on March 31 of the year in which the benefit is paid (in this case, March 31, 2026) had their pension or annuity benefit suspended (from which the right to the 13th pension depends), for example, because they exceeded the statutory earnings limit, 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) if 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, the achievement of which results in the suspension of the pension or annuity benefit, is announced in each quarter in the “Monitor Polski” Official Journal 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 of 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 the pension or annuity benefit is suspended is 11,403.30 zł (which is 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 of 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 the pension or annuity benefit will be suspended is 11,957.20 zł (which is 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 the amount of income earned) in the case of:
- pensioners who have reached the retirement age of 60 (for women) or 65 (for men), unless the person continues to be employed by the employer with whom they were employed directly before the date of acquiring the right to a pension – in which case the right to receive a pension will be suspended regardless of the amount of income earned 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 invalid’s 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 invalid’s 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 can therefore earn without restrictions and independently of the income earned – if they had a legal right to a pension on March 31, 2026 – they will also receive the 13th pension.
The 13th Pension in 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 the amount corresponding to the lowest 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 on 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 individuals 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 a power (to determine 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 14th pension), which is payable under the Act of May 26, 2023, on the next additional annual cash benefit for pensioners and beneficiaries. 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 on 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 pension (the Act of January 9, 2020, on additional annual cash benefits for pensioners and beneficiaries, which defines the rules for paying the 13th pension – does not provide for a similar power 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 people unable to support themselves. Only income tax and health insurance contributions are deducted from the 13th pension.
The 13th Pension in 2026 – When Will the Benefit be Paid (e.g. By ZUS)?
The 13th pension is paid together with basic benefits (pension, annuity, etc.) at the time of payment of these benefits falling:
- in April,
- and in the case of people 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, at the times of payment of pension and annuity benefits, i.e. – it will reach pensioners and beneficiaries together with the April pension or annuity (or, respectively – the May benefit or pre-retirement allowance).
Due to the fact that Easter Sunday falls on April 5 this year, and Easter Monday on April 6 – in April 2026, the payment schedule for pension and annuity benefits (with which the eligible pensioners and beneficiaries will receive the 13th pension) 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 pre-retirement benefit or allowance, the 13th pension will be paid together with the benefit for May 2026, in which 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 – 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 pensioner and beneficiary.
According to Article 7(5) of the Act of January 9, 2020, on additional annual cash benefits for pensioners and beneficiaries, 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 pension or pay the benefit in the wrong 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 additional annual cash benefits for pensioners and beneficiaries (consolidated text, Journal of Laws of 2024, item 891)
- Act of May 26, 2023, on the next additional annual cash benefit for pensioners and beneficiaries (consolidated text, Journal of Laws of 2025, item 183)
