Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS) has released tables indicating that increasing life expectancy will result in reduced pension amounts for future retirees.
Increased Life Expectancy Impacts Pension Calculations
The Central Statistical Office (GUS) has published a new table of average remaining life expectancy based on Polish mortality data for 2025. This information is crucial for individuals retiring this year, as it directly affects their benefit amount. The new data shows that Poles are living longer, which translates to lower pensions.
The new table will be valid from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. It shows the average remaining life expectancy in months for a retiree of a specific age. The vertical column represents age in years, and the values from 0 to 11 read horizontally represent completed months of life, to which a specific average remaining life expectancy value (also expressed in months) is assigned. Surviving each additional year increases the chance of living to an older age.
How ZUS Calculates Benefits
From April 1st, ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) will use the new table to determine the amount of new pensions. There will be no changes for those already receiving benefits. Pension amounts are calculated using a mathematical formula: the calculation base, or accumulated pension capital, is divided by the number of months for which the individual is expected to receive the pension, according to the table. A larger numerator and a smaller denominator result in a higher pension. Conversely, a longer remaining life expectancy means more months of payments and a lower benefit.
Pension Calculation Base Components
The pension calculation base consists of:
Indexed pension contributions recorded in the insured’s ZUS account after December 31, 1998, up to the end of the month preceding the month in which the pension is due.
GUS Data Shows Continued Increase in Life Expectancy
The GUS table demonstrates a continuing trend of increasing life expectancy among Poles, meaning those planning to end their professional careers will receive pension payments for a longer period. According to the new GUS tables, the increase in remaining life expectancy has occurred in all age groups. Compared to last year’s data, a 30-year-old will live 3.3 months longer, a 60-year-old 2.5 months longer, and an 80-year-old 0.7 months longer.
Impact on Pension Amount: Examples
For example, a 60-year-old woman with a pension base of 700,000 zł will receive a benefit of 2,603 zł, or approximately 24 zł less (the capital will be divided by 268.9 months, whereas last year this value was 266.4 months). A 65-year-old man with the same pension capital (700,000 zł) will receive a monthly pension of 3,143 zł, which is approximately 27 zł less (the calculation base will be divided by 222.7 months instead of 220.8 months).
Average Remaining Life Expectancy Table (Effective April 1, 2026)
(Table data omitted for brevity, as requested in the prompt)
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