Power of Attorney at ZUS: How Retirees Can Appoint a Representative

If you cannot handle your Social Insurance Institution matters yourself, a retiree or pensioner can appoint a representative to act on their behalf free of charge.

Appointing a Representative in ZUS

Senior may establish a proxy who will represent them before ZUS and perform specific actions on their behalf. This can involve a single matter, such as submitting an application or collecting a letter, as well as conducting all matters at ZUS. Check who can become a proxy, how to establish such an authorization, and whether you need to pay for it.

Not every retiree or pensioner is able to handle all formalities at the Social Insurance Institution independently. The reason may be health problems, mobility difficulties, age, or the lack of possibility for personal contact with the office. However, regulations allow using the help of another person.

Who Can Handle a Retiree’s Affairs at ZUS? Not Just Family

Regulations do not require the proxy to be a relative of the Social Insurance Institution client. Anyone who has reached the age of majority and is granted appropriate authorization by the senior or another insured person can become one. In practice, children, grandchildren, or other family members most often become proxies who help seniors in contacts with the office. However, there are no obstacles for an advisor, accountant, lawyer, or another trusted person to perform this function.

The scope of the proxy’s operation depends on what the person granting the authorization wants. You can entrust them with handling one specific matter or authorize them to represent the client in a broader scope.

ZUS PEL Form for Free Representation

For another person to appear before ZUS on behalf of a retiree or pensioner, it is necessary to grant a power of attorney. The simplest way is to use the ZUS PEL form. The document is available on the ZUS website, on the ZUS Electronic Services Platform (PUE ZUS), and at ZUS branches.

Granting power of attorney to handle matters at ZUS is free of charge. The senior does not have to bear any costs for the mere establishment of the person who will represent them before the Institution.

Scope of Duties and the ZUS PEL Form

The ZUS PEL form makes it possible to determine the scope in which the proxy will be able to represent the client. Power of attorney may concern various activities.

The proxy can help not only with collecting documents. Within the granted authorization, they can also conduct correspondence with ZUS, supplement documents required by the Institution, or help in matters concerning benefits.

However, one must remember that the ZUS PEL form is not used to represent a contribution payer during a ZUS inspection. In such a case, a separate ZUS PEL-K form is required. In the form, you can also indicate authorization regarding the collection of PIT declarations issued by ZUS. The power of attorney to conduct matters at ZUS does not always include this activity.

Online Matters via PUE ZUS Without Senior’s Account

The help of another person does not have to be limited to a visit to the branch. The proxy can also handle matters electronically through the Electronic Services Platform of ZUS. Importantly, the senior does not need to have an account on PUE ZUS themselves. If the proxy has their own profile, after obtaining appropriate authorization, they can perform online activities on behalf of the client. This may include submitting electronic applications, checking information regarding benefits, and contacting ZUS via the internet.

Duration and Revocation of Power of Attorney

The person granting the power of attorney decides themselves how long it is to remain in effect. A specific period can be indicated, or authorization can be granted for an indefinite period. If the end date is not entered in the form, it is assumed that the power of attorney is valid from the day the document is delivered to ZUS until the moment it is revoked.

Establishing a proxy does not mean that the senior loses the ability to act independently. A retiree or pensioner can still personally contact ZUS and make their own decisions. The proxy acts exclusively within the limits of the authorization granted to them.

Granting power of attorney is not an irreversible decision. A ZUS client can resign from the help of a given person at any moment. To revoke a previously granted authorization, the ZUS PEL-O form must be submitted. After revoking the power of attorney, the indicated person loses the ability to represent the client before the Institution within the scope covered by the earlier authorization.

Important Considerations Regarding Correspondence

Before granting power of attorney, it is worth carefully checking its scope. If the senior establishes a general proxy to conduct all matters at ZUS, correspondence from the Institution may be directed precisely to that person. This means letters concerning matters conducted by ZUS will not go directly to the retiree or pensioner. If the client wants to continue receiving correspondence themselves, a more beneficial solution may be limiting the power of attorney only to a specific activity, such as submitting a single application or collecting a specific document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a child handle a parent’s affairs at ZUS? Yes, but kinship alone is not enough. The child must receive power of attorney granted by the parent on the ZUS PEL form.

Does a retiree need to have a PUE ZUS account to appoint a proxy? No. The proxy must have a PUE ZUS account if they are to handle matters electronically on behalf of the senior.

Can power of attorney in ZUS be limited to just one matter? Yes. The senior can indicate a specific activity to which they authorize another person, such as submitting a specific application or collecting correspondence.

Can power of attorney be revoked at any moment? Yes. It is enough to submit the ZUS PEL-O form and inform the Institution about the withdrawal of the earlier authorization.