The calculations are carried out by the Social Insurance Institution and concern persons whose pension was determined or recalculated in June in the years 2009–2019. At that time, less favorable rules for indexation of contributions were applied, which resulted in lower initial capital and permanently lower benefits.
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June pensions. New rules
The new act introduced the principle that: such pensions are calculated as if they had been determined in May – if this solution is more favorable – and then indexed to the current level. ZUS works automatically: seniors do not submit applications, they will receive decisions by post or via PUE. If the new calculation is lower, they will be left with the current amount.
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ZUS data shows that the changes will cover approx. 265 thousand people, including over 240 thousand retirees and several dozen thousand family pensions. In the first decisions, 84 percent entitled persons gained an average of PLN 203.80 per month.
Indexation of ZUS. What about the March raise for seniors?
Seniors ask what if the decision on the recount arrives only in March. Was it then 5.3 percent? indexation will be lost? The answer is no.
The new benefit amount is legally effective from January 1, 2026, regardless of the date of delivery of the decision. ZUS will therefore pay compensation for January and February and then charge 5.3%. from the already increased amount. This means a real “double” increase.
Example: if a senior receives PLN 3,000 today. PLN gross, after conversion it can gain PLN 200 (PLN 3.2 thousand). After the March indexation, 5.3 percent. the benefit will increase to PLN 3,369.60. If it weren't for the conversion, it would be PLN 3,159. The difference is approximately PLN 210 per month, or over PLN 2.5 thousand. PLN per year.
Who will benefit and who will not from a double increase in pensions?
The double increase will affect people who:
- had a fixed pension in June in 2009–2019,
- they had it recalculated in June during this period,
- they receive survivors' pensions from such people.
However, they will not benefit those who will retire only in March 2026, seniors outside the “June” group and people without the right to benefits as of February 28, 2026.
Although the mechanism has been unfavorable for years, the act does not provide for retroactive payments – the new amount is effective from January 1, 2026. In turn, the indexation, confirmed by the Ministry of Family after the announcement of the Central Statistical Office on February 9, is annual and applies only to the future.
