Pre-retirement benefit is support for people who lose their job before reaching retirement age. To receive them, you must meet both general and individual conditions. The latter depend, among others, on: on length of service, age or reasons for terminating the contract.
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This benefit from ZUS is available to women aged 55 and over and men aged 60 and over. When obtaining pre-retirement benefits from ZUS, the deadlines for submitting applications and the manner of ending employment are extremely important.
Pre-retirement benefit 2026 from ZUS. Who can get them?
Pre-retirement benefits can be important financial support for people who unexpectedly lose their source of income. However, the regulations are detailed and require the fulfillment of many formal conditions.
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The loss of employment must be due to the employer's fault, e.g. by liquidation of the position or bankruptcy of the company. Independent departure or agreement of the parties without a clear reason excludes the right to benefits. A document confirming that the company is responsible for the dismissal is required.
Pre-retirement benefit in 2026. What conditions must be met?
Independent departure or agreement of the parties without a clear reason excludes the right to benefits. A document confirming that the company is responsible for the dismissal is required.
The requirements vary depending on the situation: for people dismissed for reasons related to the workplace, they include: age, length of service and reason for terminating the contract. People running a business must demonstrate that they have been running a business for at least 24 months and are of appropriate age. For former pensioners, it is important to receive the pension uninterruptedly for 5 years and to quickly register at the employment office.
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As ZUS explains, not all group dismissal rules apply to small companies (less than 20 people). Here, too, you need a certificate from the employer about the reasons for the dismissal. The exception are situations when the employer seriously violates his obligations – then the employee may leave pursuant to Art. 55 of the Labor Code, but must have evidence of this.
How much is the pre-retirement benefit in 2026?
As ZUS explains, to apply for the benefit, you must receive unemployment benefits for at least 180 days and be registered as unemployed. The application must be submitted within 30 days of obtaining a certificate from the employment office. Exceeding this deadline means refusal, although in exceptional cases you can apply for its reinstatement.
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From March 1, 2025, the benefit amounted to PLN 1,893.41 gross. With the indexation of pensions and pensions, ZUS increased the amount of the benefit and from March 2026 it increased to PLN 1,993.76 gross.
Pre-retirement benefits are regulated by the Act of April 30, 2004 and other legal acts relating to the labor market and social security.
