Starting March 2026, the KRUS agricultural insurance fund will increase the monthly “sołtys” allowance to 373.67 PLN for seniors who served at least seven years in the role.
Updated Allowance Rates and Payments
Effective March 1, 2026, the sołtys allowance underwent an annual indexation, rising to a monthly rate of 373.67 PLN. This amounts to approximately 4,484.04 PLN annually, and the benefit is lifelong, payable regardless of the recipient’s primary pension amount from ZUS or KRUS.
Eligibility and Verification of Service
To qualify, seniors must have reached retirement age—60 for women and 65 for men—and served as a village head for at least seven years. Current regulations no longer require the completion of two full terms, as the total combined time in office is now the qualifying factor.
If municipal archives cannot provide official documentation to prove service, applicants may instead submit written testimony from three witnesses who resided in the village during their term to verify their tenure.
Application Requirements and Mandatory Declarations
Benefits are not granted automatically and require a formal application to KRUS, with decisions typically rendered within 30 days. A critical requirement is the inclusion of a declaration of non-criminality specifically regarding offenses committed in connection with the duties of a village head; failure to provide this can delay payments by several weeks.
Disbursement Schedules and Projected Benefits
Due to the May holiday weekend, payments scheduled for the 1st or 3rd of the month may arrive in late April, while other recipients should expect transfers on their specific scheduled dates. For those applying in May, the total amount received by the end of 2026 would be 2,989.36 PLN.
