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10 min czytania 29 July 2025

The death of a spouse is a difficult moment, often raising questions about the widow’s or widower’s financial situation. One of the most frequently discussed topics is the spouse’s pension. Who is entitled to the spouse’s pension? Can you supplement your survivor’s pension? Is a double pension possible? Who is entitled to a widow’s pension?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Pension after a spouse – what is it?
• Double pension – pension after a spouse and widow’s pension
• When will a wife receive her husband’s pension?
• How much is the pension after the death of a husband?
• Who is entitled to a widow’s pension?
• What are the limits of a widow’s pension?

A survivor’s pension – what is it?

The death of a loved one is not only a huge emotional loss but often also has serious financial consequences. In the case of a deceased husband, his spouse may be entitled to benefits paid in the form of a survivor’s pension. Although colloquially referred to as a “spouse’s pension,” it is formally not a separate retirement benefit, but rather a survivor’s pension, which is payable after the deceased husband if certain conditions are met.

The right to a survivor’s pension may be granted to the widow of a deceased husband who was receiving a pension or was eligible for one. In practice, this means that the deceased spouse’s pension can be transferred to an eligible person, in this case, the wife, under the provisions on survivor’s pensions. This benefit is paid by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and can provide significant financial support for those who have lost their primary source of income following the death of their spouse.

Double Pension – Husband’s Pension and Widow’s Pension

The concept of a “double pension” is becoming increasingly common, especially in the context of survivor benefits. In practice, many people wonder what the difference is between a husband’s pension, also known as a survivor’s pension, and the recently introduced widow’s pension. Current regulations do not allow for the collection of two full pensions – both one’s own and the one of the deceased spouse.

A husband’s pension means that after the husband’s death, his wife can receive a survivor’s pension if the deceased:

• had an established right to a retirement or disability pension,
• met the conditions for obtaining these benefits.

A widow’s pension, on the other hand, allows for combining these two benefits. As of July 1, 2025, new regulations have been in effect in Poland, allowing for a widow’s pension – combining one’s own retirement benefit with a portion of the survivor’s pension after the deceased spouse.

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When will a wife receive her husband’s pension?

A widow is entitled to a survivor’s pension if she meets at least one of the following conditions:

• has reached retirement age (60 for women),
• is raising at least one child of the deceased spouse who is entitled to a survivor’s pension (e.g., a child up to 16 years of age, or up to 25 if they are in school),
• is incapacitated for work (fully or partially) for no later than 5 years after her husband’s death or dissolution of the marriage,
• after reaching retirement age, meets the conditions for a survivor’s pension within 5 years of her husband’s death.

How much is the survivor’s pension?

Regarding the so-called “husband’s pension,” it is formally a survivor’s pension, and from 2025 onward, its amount is calculated as a percentage of the deceased’s benefit. Current values:

• 85% of the deceased husband’s benefit if the pension is awarded to one person,
• 90% if there are two eligible persons,
• 95% if three or more eligible persons

In practice, if the widow is the only eligible person, ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) pays her 85% of the pension or disability benefit received by the deceased spouse. If there are other eligible persons (e.g., a child), the percentage increases accordingly.

The minimum survivor’s benefit has been increased with the indexation:

• As of March 1, 2025, the minimum survivor’s pension is PLN 1,878.91 gross per month, regardless of the percentage of the benefit amount calculated, which could be lower. This amount is indexed annually.

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Who is entitled to a widow’s pension?

A widow’s pension is a new benefit introduced in Poland on July 1, 2025, which gives a widow or widower the option of combining two benefits—their own pension or disability pension with a portion of the survivor’s pension after the death of their spouse. The new regulations aim to improve the financial situation of people who, after the death of their partner, are left with a limited income despite many years of living and working together.

According to the 2025 Act, a widow’s pension is available to a person who:

• was married to the deceased at the time of their death,
• has been awarded a survivor’s pension after the deceased spouse or their own pension or disability pension from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS),
• meets the conditions for receiving a benefit under the Pensions and Disability Pensions Act from the Social Insurance Fund (including reaching retirement age or being incapacitated for work).

To receive a widow’s or widower’s pension, you must submit an appropriate application to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and choose one of two options:

• 100% of your own pension or disability pension + 15% of the survivor’s pension after the deceased spouse,
• 100% of the survivor’s pension + 15% of your own pension or disability pension.

In practice, this means that a widow is entitled to a more advantageous combination of two benefits – retaining the main source of income and an allowance in the form of part of the second.

What are the limits for widow’s pensions?

Under current regulations, the total benefits paid under widow’s pensions cannot exceed three times the minimum pension. After the March 2025 indexation, this limit is PLN 5,636.73 gross per month. If, after adding up selected benefits (e.g., retirement pensions and part of the survivor’s pension), the total exceeds this amount, the excess will be reduced—the benefit will be reduced to the statutory limit.

The death of a spouse is not only a significant emotional loss but also often a difficult financial situation for the survivor. In such cases, the law provides for the possibility of receiving support in the form of a survivor’s pension or—as of July 1, 2025—a new benefit, the widow’s pension. Depending on the situation, a widow may receive a survivor’s pension if she meets the statutory requirements regarding age, health, and childcare.

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