ZUS Cuts Earnings Limits for Working Pensioners Starting September 1, 2026

Starting September 1, 2026, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) will lower additional earnings thresholds for working pensioners and disability beneficiaries due to a drop in average wages.

New Earnings Limits for Pensioners and Disability Beneficiaries

Working while receiving a pension or disability benefit requires closer monitoring of earnings starting in September. Following new data on average wages released by Statistics Poland (GUS), additional revenue limits will decrease, with one threshold dropping by over 230 PLN.

Average Wage Drops in the Second Quarter of 2026

Statistics Poland reported that the average monthly gross wage in the second quarter of 2026 was 9,233.13 PLN. Published on August 11, 2026, in Monitor Polski, this figure serves as the basis for calculating additional revenue limits for specific pensioners and beneficiaries.

Two Basic Thresholds Determine Benefit Adjustments

Revenue limits change every three months based on the average wage announced by GUS, operating under two fundamental thresholds. If earnings exceed the first threshold but remain below the second, ZUS reduces the paid pension or disability benefit accordingly.

Comparing Current and Upcoming Limits

New amounts are lower than current regulations valid from June 1 to August 31, 2026, where the first threshold sits at 6,694.10 PLN and the second at 12,431.80 PLN gross monthly. From September, these limits decrease to 6,463.20 PLN and 12,003.10 PLN respectively, reflecting a drop in average remuneration from 9,562.88 PLN in the first quarter.

Who Is Affected by These Limits?

Restrictions primarily apply to individuals receiving benefits who have not yet reached the statutory retirement age, including early retirees and disability beneficiaries. Generally, women aged 60 and men aged 65 who reached statutory retirement age before taking up paid work can earn without these restrictions.

Exceptions and Exemptions for Specific Beneficiaries

Limits do not apply to all beneficiaries or income types, allowing war veteran disability pensioners and specific family pension recipients to work without restrictions. Additionally, certain income sources like specific specific contracts for specific work performed outside an employer’s scope bypass these rules.

Reporting Obligations and ZUS Procedures

Impacted individuals must inform ZUS about taking up employment and provide expected earnings using forms such as EROP submitted physically or electronically. At year-end, ZUS reconciles earnings, and failure to report may lead to demands for repayment of benefits up to three years back.

Quarterly Adjustments Set to Continue

These limits apply from September 1 to November 30, 2026, before shifting again on December 1, 2026, based on subsequent wage data. The safe earning boundary decreases by 230.90 PLN, while the suspension threshold drops by 428.70 PLN starting in September.

Legal Basis

Announcement of the President of Statistics Poland dated August 10, 2026, regarding the average wage in the second quarter of 2026 (Monitor Polski 2026, item 779).