Poles over 65 can access several additional financial benefits beyond standard pensions, including free medicines and housing subsidies.
The “Thirteenth” Pension in 2026
The “thirteenth pension” is an additional annual monetary benefit that will go to a wide group of seniors and people receiving benefits from the social security system. The right to payment is held by persons who, on March 31 of the year in which the payment is made, have the right to one of the specified benefits.
The thirteenth pension will be paid at the amount of the lowest pension applicable from March 1 of a given year. In 2026, the 13th pension will amount to 1,970.6 PLN gross, which is 1,699 PLN net.
Fourteenth Pension: Not Everyone Gets the Same
Although the fourteenth pension has become a permanent element of the senior support system, not every pensioner and disability pensioner can count on receiving it. Unlike the thirteenth pension, which goes to all entitled persons, the fourteenth pension depends on the amount of the basic benefit.
The fourteenth pension is paid according to the “zloty for zloty” rule, which protects seniors from the sudden loss of the supplement after exceeding the income threshold. This mechanism involves a gradual reduction of the benefit amount, not its automatic withdrawal. For example, a pensioner receiving 3,400 PLN gross, that is 500 PLN more than the mandatory limit, receives the fourteenth pension reduced by exactly 500 PLN.
Free Medicines for Seniors 65+
Seniors can also count on free medicines. They are granted to persons who collectively meet specific criteria. The current list includes nearly 3,800 preparations that were previously covered only by partial reimbursement.
The list includes preparations used in the treatment of many diseases, including chronic and seasonal ones. Seniors 65+ can receive for free medicines used for various health conditions.
Care Supplement: 365.91 PLN Monthly
The care supplement is another monetary benefit paid to seniors. It is granted to persons who have reached the age of 75 or are completely unable to work and to exist independently.
This does not apply to persons who stay in a care and treatment facility or a nursing and care facility for more than 2 weeks a month. In 2026, the amount of the benefit is 365.91 PLN per month.
Housing Supplement with New Income Limits
Seniors who meet the conditions specified in the regulations may receive a housing supplement. It is granted to persons who have problems with paying the costs of maintaining the premises.
The granting of the supplement is decided by income, legal title to the apartment and the floor area. The senior’s average monthly income from 3 months before applying cannot exceed certain limits. The supplement is granted only to apartments of a specified area.
National Senior Card: Discounts Across Poland
Every senior who has reached the age of 60 can get the National Senior Card. This is a document that entitles you to use numerous discounts and rebates in thousands of points throughout Poland.
Card holders can count on discounts and preferential conditions in various establishments, including sanatoriums and cinemas.
Retiree ID Card: Digital Benefits
Seniors receiving a pension or disability benefit have the right to a retiree-disability pensioner ID, which is also available in the mCitizen app.
The document allows you to quickly confirm your rights and use numerous discounts without the need to carry the paper version. Thanks to the ID, seniors can access various privileges.
Energy Flat Rate: Special Eligibility
The energy flat rate is a special form of supplement granted to selected seniors. It is not available to all seniors but has specific eligibility criteria.
The energy flat rate is granted to war veterans or other persons entitled under separate regulations, soldiers of military substitute service who were compulsorily employed in certain facilities, widows or widowers who are pensioners or disability pensioners remaining after a war veteran or other entitled person.
