Poland’s GUS released 2025 average wage data, confirming the pension adjustment index at 5.3%, higher than initially budgeted.
How is the 2026 pension adjustment calculated?
According to GUS, the average wage in the national economy in 2025 was 8,903.56 zł, an increase of 8.82% year-on-year. This information, combined with previously known inflation, completes the process of calculating the pension adjustment index.
As reported by Łukasz Kozłowski, representing employer organizations in the Social Insurance Institution’s supervisory board, the adjustment in March 2026 will be 5.3%, which is significantly higher than the 4.88% recorded in the budget act.
How much will pensions increase from March 2026?
Below are specific calculations with an index of 5.3% (gross and net amounts). This means that the minimum pension will increase by nearly 100 zł gross per month.
2026 Pension Adjustment: Who will get a raise?
The adjustment will cover all long-term benefits, including pensions, old-age pensions, disability pensions, and survivor’s pensions. The increase is automatic – no applications need to be submitted.
Who will not get a pension after the 2026 adjustment?
The adjustment does not apply to temporary benefits that are not a pension or annuity under the law, or to persons who have not yet been granted a benefit as of February 28, 2026 (e.g., those who will retire only in March).
When will the first pension payments be after the adjustment?
Two groups of seniors will receive money earlier, as detailed in a separate article: ZUS will pay higher pensions faster. Here are the new amounts after adjustment.
The pension adjustment will be more expensive for the state
A higher index also means a greater cost: according to estimates, the state budget will have to pay an additional 3.5 billion zł for the 5.3% adjustment. The legal basis is…