Bad news for seniors. Pensions will go down.

• The widow’s pension from 1 July 2025 amounts to 15% of the second benefit, and from 2027 it will increase to 25%.
• However, the new rules may reduce the amount of the fourteenth pension - the full amount will only be received by people whose benefit does not exceed PLN 2,900.
• As a result, some seniors will receive a lower "fourteenth pension" or will lose the right to it.

The widow's pension is a new benefit for elderly people who have lost a spouse. According to the Ministry of Family, from July 1, 2025, the widow's pension is paid at 15% of the second benefit. From January 2027, it will be 25%.

This means that an eligible person will be able to receive one benefit in full and part of the other. The upper limit for the total payment is three times the minimum pension.

Persons receiving widower's pensions, who will receive higher benefits thanks to the new rules, must, however, take into account a reduction in the amount of the so-called fourteenth pension.

The full fourteenth pension will be paid to retirees and pensioners whose widow's or disability pension does not exceed PLN 2,900. If the widow's or disability pension exceeds the established limit, the fourteenth pension will be reduced according to the "zloty for zloty" principle.

This means that some retirees and pensioners may receive a fourteenth pension in an amount lower than the amount of the lowest pension (or the amount established by a regulation of the Council of Ministers) or not receive it at all - writes "Fakt".

Payments of widows’ pensions started on 1 July on the previous dates for the payment of retirement and disability benefits, i.e.:

• 1.,
• 6.,
• 10.,
• 15.,
• 20.,
• 25th of the month.

The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) announced that the 14th pension will be paid to most seniors in September, but some will receive it as early as late August. This year, the full 14th pension will amount to PLN 1,878.91 gross, or PLN 1,558.81 net.