ZUS: Delaying Retirement & Increasing Contributions Can Boost Pension Benefits by Up to 20%
Warsaw, Poland – Polish seniors who continue working after reaching retirement age, or increase their contributions during their working lives, can significantly increase their future pension benefits, according to the social Insurance Institution (ZUS).
Currently, every 100,000 PLN accumulated in ZUS translates to a monthly pension of 375 PLN for a 60-year-old. To reach the minimum pension level of 1,878.91 PLN, a 60-year-old needs to accumulate just over 500,000 PLN in contributions, while a 65-year-old requires approximately 80,000 PLN less.
The number of working pensioners is on the rise, offering both financial and social advantages. In 2024, the average retirement age was 62.7 years, with ZUS noting that men are more likely to retire instantly upon reaching eligibility than women.
Delaying retirement directly impacts pension amounts. A 60-year-old who postpones retirement by five years can increase their benefit by over 20 percent due to a shorter forecast payment period and continued contributions.
For those planning further ahead, the ZUS calculator indicates a 40-year-old aiming for a 4,000 PLN monthly pension over 25 years must earn over 9,000 PLN gross. Women, facing a lower retirement age and longer average lifespan, need to earn even more – up to 11,000 PLN gross.
Additionally, ZUS conducts annual valorization of accumulated funds in June, which can provide a significant boost to benefits. such as, an insured individual with 400,000 PLN in contributions applying for retirement in the second half of the year could see an increase of nearly 205 PLN thanks to this valorization.
