The clergy in Poland can use two sources of financing their pensions: the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and the church fund – writes Forsal.pl. Depending on the form of employment, the contributions are discharged in different ways:
– Employment contract: priests and nuns employed on the basis of an employment contract (for example as teachers in schools) pay ZUS contributions on the same terms as other employees.
– Pastoral activity: clergy who are not formally employed, but perform their pastoral service, they cover only 20 percent. ZUS contributions, while the remaining 80 percent finances the church fund.
In addition, after the age of 75, clergy can receive an additional benefit from the church fund.
Pensions of priests and nuns in Poland in 2025.
The retirement age of the clergy is consistent with the general regulations – priests retire at the age of 65, and nuns at the age of 60. According to Forsal.pl, the amount of pensions varies:
– priests employed under an employment contract: The average pension is about PLN 3200-3500. After the age of 75, they can count on an additional benefit from the church fund in the amount of around PLN 2,500, which a total of up to PLN 5,000 per month.
– nuns without formal employment: their The pension, financed only from the church fund, is about PLN 1620.
Lower benefits of nuns result from limited contributions paid by the church fund, which is significantly different from the full ZUS contributions paid by persons employed under an employment contract.
The church fund, which covers most of the retirement contributions of clergy not working under an employment contract, has been arousing emotions for years. His financing comes from the state budget, which in the opinion of many people is problematic, especially in the context of the difficult financial situation of many Polish pensioners.
Differences in the amount of benefits between the clergy employed under an employment contract and those who only use the fund complicate the system analysis.
Source: forsal.pl
