The new benefit comes into effect on July 1. Quick application required

• The possibility of paying a widow’s pension from July 2025 is only available to those who submit an application by 31 July at the latest.
• A widow's pension is available to people who are entitled to two benefits - their own and the survivor's pension after the deceased spouse.
• The application can be submitted on paper or online, and assistance in assessing eligibility is provided by a questionnaire and calculator available at zus.pl

ZUS reminds that there is little time left to apply for a widow's pension, i.e. to combine the payment of a survivor's pension after the deceased spouse with one's own retirement and disability pension, such as an old-age pension.

In order to receive the increase you are entitled to and have it paid for July as well, the application for a widow's pension (ERWD form) must be submitted no later than 31 July 2025. Let's not leave these matters to the last minute, so as not to get upset later that we have forgotten something or failed to deliver something.

– says Beata Kopczyńska, regional spokeswoman for ZUS in the Silesian Voivodeship, adding that ZUS will make the first payments from July 1, 2025.

As Kopczyńska explains, a person applying for a widow's pension should be entitled to two retirement and disability benefits, one of which is a survivor's pension after the deceased spouse.

People who have not yet been granted a family pension or their own benefit, but meet the required criteria, should submit the appropriate application as soon as possible. At the same time, they can also submit an application to establish the overlap of benefits with the family pension using the ERWD form. It is important that both correctly completed documents reach ZUS before the end of July. In such a case, the right to the benefit will be granted from July

– advises the spokeswoman.

It also explains that if a widow or widower applies for a widower's pension, and there is no established entitlement to at least two retirement and disability benefits, including a survivor's pension after the deceased spouse, ZUS will refuse to grant a widow's pension due to the lack of entitlement to the second benefit.

Moreover, to be entitled to a widow's pension, women must be 60 years old and men 65.

At the initial stage, a widow or widower will be able to receive a widow's pension in one of two options: 15% of their retirement benefit plus a full survivor's pension (i.e. 85% of the pension due to the deceased), or 15% of the survivor's pension and 100% of their own pension. The choice of the more advantageous option is up to the applicant . However, it is possible for ZUS to make the decision in this matter - it is enough to indicate the option of choosing a higher benefit in the application, and the institution will make calculations and award the most cost-effective form of pension.

It is worth remembering, however, that the total amount of benefits cannot exceed three times the lowest pension, which has been PLN 1,878.91 gross since March this year. This means a maximum limit of PLN 5,636.73 gross . If the sum of benefits exceeds this threshold, the surplus will be deducted. Importantly, people who already receive a pension higher than the aforementioned limit will not be able to use the widow's pension.

An application for the ERWD widow's pension can be submitted both in paper form and online – via the PUE or eZUS platform. Although ZUS has been accepting them since January 1 of this year, the right to the benefit will be granted only from the month in which the application was submitted, but not earlier than July 1, 2025.

So if someone files an application in January, March, or does it only in May and is entitled to a widow's pension, ZUS will pay the benefit from July this year. However, if someone files an application in August or September, etc., they will acquire the right to a widow's pension from August or September, i.e. from the month of filing the application, so they will not be entitled to the benefit for July. That is why it is worth keeping an eye on the deadline for filing an application for a widow's pension.

– explains the spokeswoman.

On the website zus.pl you can find a survey that will help you check step by step whether you meet the conditions for receiving a widow's pension. ZUS has also launched a special hotline - 22 560 16 00. There you can also fill out a voice survey and get the necessary information.

Additionally, an online calculator is available that allows you to estimate the amount of your future benefit.