Extra 1,978.49 PLN for Seniors: September Payout Confirmed Following Government Decree

The Polish government has confirmed that the fourteenth pension will be disbursed in September 2026, delivering a full gross amount of 1,978.49 PLN to eligible seniors alongside their regular benefits.

Government Decree Sets September Payout

In 2026, fourteenth pensions will be paid out in September, resulting from a Council of Ministers regulation that enters into force on Friday, August 14. This year, the full fourteenth pension amounts to 1,978.49 PLN gross, which matches the current minimum pension.

The regulation was adopted on August 10, 2026, specifying the month of payment for the additional annual monetary benefit for retirement and disability pensioners in 2026. The act was published on August 13, 2026, and enters into force the day following its announcement on August 14, 2026. The funds will reach eligible recipients together with their retirement or disability pension on the standard payment date.

ZUS Payment Schedule and Eligibility Rules

In September 2026, ZUS will disburse pensions and disability benefits across six dates, with funds arriving early in two instances because the standard payment date falls on a Sunday. The fourteenth pension is granted to individuals who, on the last day of the month preceding the payment month, are entitled to one of the legally specified benefits.

Receiving one of these benefits does not automatically guarantee the payout of the full fourteenth pension, as the amount of the primary benefit also matters. Importantly, beneficiaries do not need to submit a separate application, as ZUS or another competent authority determines the right to the benefit ex officio.

Amount, Thresholds, and Deductions

In 2026, the full fourteenth pension is 1,978.49 PLN gross, equal to the minimum pension effective from March 1, 2026. The full amount is awarded to individuals whose primary pension or disability benefit does not exceed 2,900 PLN gross, while higher benefits are subject to the “one-for-one” reduction rule.

Exceeding the 2,900 PLN threshold results in a proportional reduction of the bonus, and if the calculated additional benefit falls below 50 PLN gross, it will not be paid out. Consequently, recipients with a primary benefit of 4,828.49 PLN gross or higher will not receive the additional payment.

Health insurance contributions and income tax advances will be deducted from the fourteenth pension, leaving seniors with a net amount of approximately 1,600 to 1,650 PLN. For the full 1,978.49 PLN gross amount, the health insurance contribution alone equals 178.06 PLN, though final net sums depend on individual tax situations. No other deductions or enforcements will be made from this additional benefit.

Exceptions and Institutional Payout Rules

A crucial rule applies to individuals receiving more than one retirement or disability benefit, as the fourteenth pension is granted only once regardless of the number of benefits received. Beneficiaries collecting multiple pensions will not receive multiple bonus payouts, though the paying institution depends on the source of the primary benefit.

For benefits disbursed by ZUS and KRUS, specific rules apply. If a pensioner receives an agricultural pension from KRUS in concurrence with a ZUS benefit, KRUS will pay out the fourteenth pension, whereas individuals receiving two separate pensions from ZUS and KRUS will receive the bonus from ZUS, with a similar principle applying to widow’s pensions spanning both institutions.