It is worth remembering that the 14th pension is important financial support for many seniors. However, unlike the “thirteenth pension”, the popular “fourteenth pension” depends on income and includes a broader list of excluded people who are not entitled to the ZUS pension supplement.
Understanding the rules for granting benefits allows you to avoid disappointment and plan your home budget better. All the more so because it is enough to exceed a certain threshold or be in the excluded group in order not to receive the 14th pension from ZUS.
Who is entitled to the 14th pension in 2026?
Please remember that the 13th pension goes to all retirees, regardless of the amount of the benefit. However, the 14th pension depends on income – above PLN 2,900 gross, the benefit begins to decrease, and after exceeding PLN 4,828.49 gross, it disappears completely. This is the effect of the “PLN for PLN” mechanism.
See also: These people must pay their 13th pension. ZUS explains the rules
According to the latest calculations, the 14th pension in 2026 will amount to PLN 1,978.49 gross and will be paid in the fall. As “Gazeta Prawna” explains, unfortunately, some seniors will not receive even a zloty from ZUS.
This is the result of increasing pensions due to indexation, with the threshold of PLN 2,900 remaining unchanged. More and more people exceed the limit and lose the right to benefits, which is why the so-called benefit trap.
Who will not receive the 14th pension in 2026? ZUS exclusion list
If, after calculating the income – taking into account the threshold and limits – ZUS would calculate the 14th pension lower than PLN 50, then the benefit will not be paid. As calculated by “Gazeta Prawna”, the 14th pension in 2026 will not be received by, among others:
- people with a pension above approx. PLN 4,828.49 gross
- seniors who have their benefits suspended (e.g. due to moonlighting)
- retired judges and prosecutors
- people downloading the so-called Olympic retirement
- persons who are not entitled to the benefit on the date of determination.
See also: This is the highest pension in Poland. I can't believe the lowest amount
ZUS reminds that health insurance contributions and income tax advances will be deducted from the 14th pension. At the same time, the “fourteenth” will be free from deductions, e.g. bailiff's actions.
Additionally, when determining the amount of the benefit to a person receiving a widow's pension, the sum of the benefits paid concurrently or the sum of the benefits granted and paid by two or more pension authorities will be taken into account.
