Polish government analyzing changes to pension rules affecting military personnel who started service before 1999.
Two Systems, Different Rules
The calculation of pensions depends on when the uniform was first put on: before or after January 2, 1999.
This has created a two-tier system affecting how military personnel are treated in retirement.
The Problem of “Suspended” Civilian Pensions
Military retirees who started service before the 1999 system reform feel disadvantaged by current regulations. Although they pay contributions to ZUS when taking civilian jobs, they often don’t receive their civilian pension payments.
According to Article 95 of the Act on pensions and benefits from the Social Security Fund, when there is a right to two benefits, the pension payment is suspended if the general pension is lower than the military pension. This creates the impression that paying contributions doesn’t actually increase the amounts received.
Inter-ministerial Work and Variants for Change
In 2025, working meetings were held between representatives of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Ministry of National Defence, and Ministry of Interior and Administration. As a result, a specific variant for changing the concurrent benefits rule for those who entered service before January 2, 1999, was identified for further analysis.
In addition to the mentioned ministries, representatives of ZUS and the Pension and Insurance Fund of the Ministry of Interior and Administration are participating in the analysis. Progress is reported to the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.
Financial Consequences of Reform
The ministry notes that the issue is complex both legally and economically. Any change to the concurrent benefits rules would require increasing state budget subsidies to the Social Insurance Fund and increasing funds for military pensions.
For this reason, after completing the analytical work, a positive position from the Minister of Finance and Economy will be necessary.
Previous Legislative Attempts
Deputy Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy Sebastian Gajewski also reminded that in the previous parliamentary term, a legislative project was submitted in this matter (April 17, 2023), but it was not assigned a print number and its processing was not continued due to the expiration of the term.
