Over 48,000 applications for widow's pension in the voivodeship

The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) is one of the institutions implementing the law on widows' pensions. The benefit is awarded from the month of application submission, but not earlier than July 2025. Those who wish to receive the July payment have less than two weeks to submit their application. To date, ZUS has received 48,700 applications in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, and over 1 million nationwide.

A widow's or widower's pension allows you to combine your own benefit with the survivor's pension of your deceased husband or wife. However, being a widow or widower and being entitled to both benefits is not sufficient to receive it. The following conditions must be met: be at least 60 years old (women) or 65 years old (men), remain married to your spouse until the date of death, and acquire the right to a survivor's pension after the deceased spouse no earlier than age 55 (women) or age 60 (men). Additionally, you cannot be currently married.

A widow or widower is entitled to benefits concurrent with the survivor's pension only for the surviving spouse. These benefits expire on the day preceding the person's remarriage.

"Widows and widowers can choose whether they want to receive 100 percent of the survivor's pension and 15 percent of their own benefit, or vice versa," reminds Karol Jagielski, regional spokesperson for the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. "It's worth noting that, as of January 1, 2027, the second benefit will be increased from 15 to 25 percent. This choice will also be available to individuals entitled to pre-retirement benefits, bridging pensions, teachers' compensation benefits, or training pensions."

The combined benefit amount cannot exceed three times the minimum pension. Benefits from foreign institutions and non-one-off benefits and allowances granted pursuant to the Act or separate regulations also count towards this limit. If the total benefits exceed three times the minimum pension, the benefit will be reduced by the amount exceeding it. (K)