Former Village Heads Eligible for Lifetime Monthly Pension Supplement

Thousands of Polish retirees who previously served as village heads are entitled to a lifelong monthly supplement of 373.67 PLN, provided they submit the necessary formal application to the agricultural social insurance fund.

Unclaimed monthly financial support

In an era of rising living costs, many seniors are unaware that they are entitled to a lifelong benefit amounting to nearly 4,500 PLN annually following recent indexation. These funds are not granted automatically, requiring applicants to complete formal procedures.

Expanded eligibility for former village heads

Many retirees fail to claim this entitlement due to a lack of awareness or fear of bureaucratic complexity. The benefit is available regardless of the pension amount received from ZUS or KRUS, specifically targeting those who previously served in the capacity of a village head.

New regulations for missing documentation

Previously, many seniors were disqualified if municipal archives lacked records of their service. However, regulations updated in late 2024 now allow applicants to provide witness testimony if official municipal documents are missing, creating an alternative path to qualification.

Mandatory criteria and potential exclusions

To qualify for the KRUS payment, applicants must meet specific statutory criteria. The only absolute disqualifier for receiving these funds is a final court conviction for a crime committed during the period of service as a village head.

Current value and application process

As of March 1, 2026, the monthly supplement is set at 373.67 PLN gross. To trigger the process, the applicant must submit a formal request to KRUS, including proof of service—either via municipal certification or witness statements—along with a certificate of no criminal record. Applicants should act promptly, as the agency does not provide retroactive payments.