ZUS Ordered to Pay Back Pensioners Thousands in Retroactive Benefits
Warsaw, Poland – Polish pensioners are winning court battles forcing the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) to issue critically important retroactive payments and increased monthly benefits, potentially impacting tens of thousands of retirees. Recent rulings have mandated ZUS to provide lump-sum equalizations exceeding PLN 29,000 and monthly pension increases of over PLN 2,000.
These victories stem from disputes over unfavorable pension conversions offered by ZUS to those opting for early retirement.While legally entitled to a pension, some retirees were presented with calculations deemed unfair, prompting legal challenges. The rulings underscore a growing trend of pensioners successfully contesting ZUS decisions in court, and signal a potential wave of further claims.
A woman recently received a PLN 11,751.40 equalization payment after a court ordered ZUS to increase her monthly benefit by PLN 988.20. Similarly, a teacher retiring in 1957 saw his monthly pension rise by PLN 2097.54 in September, accompanied by a PLN 29,642.66 leveling payment. Both pensioners are now seeking further compensation from the state, requesting PLN 50,000 and PLN 60,000 respectively.
Lawyer Wojciech Hańderka alleges ZUS employs delaying tactics, such as requesting judgment interpretations and enforcement suspensions, though these efforts were recently dismissed by the Court of Appeal in Bialystok. With no legislative solution in sight, pensioners are largely left to pursue their claims through the courts.
The situation is further elaborate by a November 15, 2023, Constitutional Tribunal ruling deeming the calculation of “June pensions” – benefits granted between 2009 and 2019 – unconstitutional due to violations of the principle of equality before the law. While ZUS plans to resume valorization of these pensions in January 2026, it will not be retroactive, prompting many seniors to prepare for renewed legal action.
