An additional annual cash benefit, commonly referred to as the thirteenth pension or simply the thirteenth pension, is available not only to seniors, but even to people who are over 18 years of age if they meet certain statutory conditions for receiving it. In the case of the fourteenth pension (also called the fourteenth pension) – there is a statutory loophole to award it in an amount higher than the statutory minimum pension. Does this also apply to the thirteenth pension and eligible beneficiaries have a chance to receive a benefit in 2026 in an amount higher than PLN 1,978.49?
Thirteenth retirement in 2026 [czyli tzw. „trzynastka” 2026] – who is entitled to the benefit and is it only for seniors?
Table of Contents
- Thirteenth retirement in 2026 [czyli tzw. „trzynastka” 2026] – who is entitled to the benefit and is it only for seniors?
- Thirteenth retirement in 2026 [czyli tzw. „trzynastka” 2026] – who is not entitled to the benefit, even though he or she has the status of a pensioner?
- Thirteenth retirement in 2026 [czyli tzw. „trzynastka” 2026] – what is the amount of the benefit and can it be awarded in an amount higher than the equivalent of the lowest pension guaranteed by law?
- Thirteenth retirement in 2026 [czyli tzw. „trzynastka” 2026] – when will the benefit be paid (including by ZUS)?
- Thirteenth retirement in 2026 [czyli tzw. „trzynastka” 2026] – do I need to submit an application to receive the benefit?
Additional annual cash benefitbecause it’s colloquial “thirteen” is specified in the Act of January 9, 2020 on additional annual cash benefits for retirees and disability pensioners – it is due to persons who as of March 31 of the year in which the benefit is paid (i.e. in this case – per day 31 mark 2026 r.) they will have established right to one of the pension benefitstj. m.in.:
- pensions or annuities in the general system,
- farmers’ pensions,
- pensions or annuities of uniformed services,
- bridge pension,
- pre-retirement benefit or allowance,
- social pension,
- teacher’s compensation benefit,
- parental supplementary benefit,
- war and military invalids’ pensions.
You can only get one thirteenth grade. Therefore, in the case of a survivor’s pension received by several people, the additional annual cash benefit is divided equally among all eligible persons.
The above table shows that the thirteenth pension is payable not only to seniors, but also to persons entitled to, for example, a pension due to incapacity for work.. According to the latest statistical data on pensions and annuities published by the Central Statistical Office – in 2024, 705.86 thousand pensions for incapacity for work were paid. entitled.1 They include people of various ages, starting from 18-year-olds, who can also apply for the above-mentioned award. pensions, even if they do not meet the condition regarding the required contributory and non-contributory period, but provided that:
- were registered for insurance before the age of 18 or
- within 6 months after graduating from secondary school, secondary school or university, and
- until the date of incapacity for work, they had, without interruption or with interruptions not exceeding 6 months, contributory and non-contributory periods.
Thirteenth retirement in 2026 [czyli tzw. „trzynastka” 2026] – who is not entitled to the benefit, even though he or she has the status of a pensioner?
For the thirteenth retirement however, people who – as of March 31 of the year in which the benefit is paid – cannot be counted (i.e. in this case – per day 31 mark 2026 r.) – they had their right to pension benefits suspended (on which the right to the thirteenth birthday depends), e.g. because they exceeded the statutory threshold for supplementing their pension or disability pension.
The right to an old-age pension, disability pension and survivor’s pension (if only one person is entitled to it), is suspended (except for the exceptions to the above rule mentioned below), if achieved revenue in an amount higher than 130% of the average monthly salary for the calendar quarter, recently announced by the President of the Central Statistical Office.
above the amount of income, the achievement of which results in the suspension of the right to a pension benefit, is announced each quarter in the Official Journal of the Republic of Poland “Monitor Polski” by the President of ZUS, by the 14th working day of the second month of each calendar quarter, and additionally – for the entire passing calendar year – by the 14th working day of November.
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Currently, i.e. from December 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026 – according to announcement of the President of ZUS of November 18, 2025 on the amounts of income corresponding to 70% and 130% of the average monthly remuneration announced for the third quarter of 2025 used when reducing or suspending pensions and annuities – the income limit above which the pension benefit is suspended is PLN 11,403.30 (which is equivalent to 130% of the average monthly salary announced for the third quarter of 2025).
From March 1, 2026 while – in accordance with announcement of the President of ZUS of February 12, 2026 on the amounts of income corresponding to 70% and 130% of the average monthly remuneration announced for the fourth quarter of 2025 used when reducing or suspending pensions and annuities – the income limit above which the pension benefit will be suspended is PLN 11,957.20 (which is equivalent to 130% of the average monthly salary announced for the fourth quarter of 2025).
However, the legislator has provided certain provisions regarding the above principle exceptions. The right to a retirement pension or annuity, respectively, will not be suspended (regardless of the amount of revenue generated), in case:
- retirees who have reached retirement age of 60 (for women) or 65 (for men)unless such a person continues employment with the employer with whom he or she was employed immediately before the date of acquiring the right to a retirement pension – then the right to receive a pension will be suspended regardless of the amount of income obtained until the above employment relationship is terminated and she submits an application for pension payment,
- having the right to a partial pension,
- having the right to a war invalidity pension for stay in a camp and places of isolation or to a family pension after such invalidity, or
- having the right to a military disability pension in connection with military service or a survivor’s pension after a soldier whose death was related to military service.
As a rule – retirees who have reached the general retirement age can therefore earn extra money without limits and regardless of their income – if they have an established right to a retirement pension as of March 31, 2026 – they will also receive a thirteenth pension..
Thirteenth retirement in 2026 [czyli tzw. „trzynastka” 2026] – what is the amount of the benefit and can it be awarded in an amount higher than the equivalent of the lowest pension guaranteed by law?
Thirteenth retirement w 2026 r. will be entitled to an amount corresponding to the equivalent of the lowest pension, i.e PLN 1,978.49 gross.
It is worth emphasizing that the amount of the thirteenth pension is not reduced if the amount of the retirement or disability benefit due as of March 31, 2026 does not exceed PLN 2,900 (as is the case with the fourteenth pension). The thirteenth pension is due to all eligible persons in the same amount – regardless of the amount of pension benefit received.
Is it possible that the thirteenth pension in 2026 was due in an amount higher than the equivalent of the statutory minimum pension?
Unfortunately, no – such a right (to determine the additional annual cash benefit) in an amount higher than the amount of the lowest pension – The Council of Ministers has only the so-called fourteen (tj. fourteenth retirement), which is due under the Act of May 26, 2023 on another additional annual cash benefit for retirees and disability pensioners. In art. 3 section 6 above act – the legislator provided that taking into account the current socio-economic situation and the state of public finances – the Council of Ministers may determine, by regulation, an amount higher than the amount of the lowest pension, used to determine the amount of the additional benefit (i.e. the fourteenth pension). At the moment, however, there is no information about the government carrying out any legislative work on the regulation that would increase the amount of this year’s pension. As a rule, such an increase is possible, but only for children aged fourteen, not thirteen (in the Act of January 9, 2020 on additional annual cash benefits for retirees and disability pensioners, which specifies the rules for the payment of the thirteenth pension – there is no similar right for the Council of Ministers to increase the amount of the additional benefit).
In the context of the amount of the thirteenth pension, it is also worth mentioning that this benefit is free from any deductions (e.g. from bailiff activities) and executions. It is also not included in income when applying for social assistance, alimony or supplementary benefits for people unable to live independently. From his thirteenth retirement only personal income tax and health insurance contributions are deducted.
Thirteenth retirement in 2026 [czyli tzw. „trzynastka” 2026] – when will the benefit be paid (including by ZUS)?
Thirteenth retirement is paid along with basic benefits (pension, pension, etc.) on the date of payment of these benefits falling on:
- in April,
- and in the case of persons receiving pre-retirement benefit or pre-retirement allowance – in May.
Thirteenth retirement w 2026 r. will therefore be paid to eligible beneficiaries of the benefit in April (or respectively – in May) 2026 r.on the dates of payment of retirement and disability benefits, i.e. – it will go to retirees and pensioners along with the April pension or annuity (or respectively – May benefit or pre-retirement allowance).
Due to the fact that Easter Sunday falls on April 5 this year and Easter Monday on April 6 – in April 2026, schedule for payment of retirement and disability benefits (with which entitled pensioners will be paid thirteenths), is as follows:
- April 1 (Wednesday),
- April 3 (Friday) – in the case of benefits whose payment date is set on the 5th day of the month, because April 5, 2026 is Easter Sunday,
- April 3 (Friday) – in the case of benefits whose payment date is set on the 6th day of the month, because April 6, 2026 is Easter Monday,
- April 10 (Friday),
- April 15 (Wednesday),
- April 20 (Monday) i
- April 24 (Friday) – in the case of benefits whose payment date is set on the 25th day of the month, because April 25, 2026 falls on a Saturday.
People downloading pre-retirement benefit or allowance, the thirteenth amount will be paid together with the benefit for May 2026.in which schedule of payment of retirement and disability benefitsis as follows:
- April 30 (Thursday) – in the case of benefits whose payment date is set on the 1st day of the month, because May 1, 2026 is a National Holiday, which is a public holiday,
- May 5 (Tuesday),
- May 6 (Wednesday),
- May 8 (Friday) – in the case of benefits whose payment date is set on the 10th day of the month, because May 10, 2026 falls on a Sunday,
- May 15 (Friday),
- May 20 (Wednesday) i
- May 25 (Monday).
Thirteenth retirement in 2026 [czyli tzw. „trzynastka” 2026] – do I need to submit an application to receive the benefit?
Thirteenth retirement in 2026 will be paid ex officio. You do not need to submit any applications in this matter. A decision on granting an additional annual cash benefit will be sent to each eligible retiree and disability pensioner.
From the decision of the authority paying the thirteenth pension (if ZUS refused to grant it or paid the benefit in an incorrect amount) – in accordance with Art. 7 section 5 of the Act of January 9, 2020 on additional annual cash benefits for retirees and disability pensioners – is entitled to appeal to the district court – labor and social security courton time month from the date of delivery of the decision. The appeal is submitted through the ZUS branch that issued the decision (in writing or orally for the record).
1 Central Statistical Office, Pensions and annuities in 2024, Warsaw 2025
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Legal basis:
- Act of January 9, 2020 on additional annual cash benefits for retirees and disability pensioners (consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2024, item 891)
- Act of May 26, 2023 on another additional annual cash benefit for retirees and disability pensioners (consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2025, item 183)