Acceptance of applications for the so-called widow's pension will begin after the new year

As of January 1, 2025, eligible persons will be able to apply for the so-called widow's pension. The right to payment of the combined benefits will be determined as of July 1, 2025. If someone files an application and meets the conditions for payment of the combined benefits after July 1, he will wait no less than a month from the filing of the application.

First, the application for a survivor pension

The award of a widow's pension will be possible if the widow or widower has an established right to a survivor's pension. If they have not applied for a survivor's pension so far because the benefit from their spouse would be less favorable, they should apply using the ERR form.

The widow or widower should then file an ERWD application to determine the concurrence of benefits with the survivor's pension. The application will be available on zus.co.uk starting January 1, 2025.

This order will make it easier and faster to process a request for combined payment of both benefits in 2025. A similar situation applies to survivor pension recipients who have never applied for their own benefit, such as a pension.

What will be the amount of the widow's pension

The first will be 15 percent of one's own benefit and the entire survivor's pension, which for one person is 85 percent of the benefit to which the deceased would have been entitled. The second option is 15 percent of the survivor's pension and 100 percent of one's own benefit.

As of January 1, 2027, the amount of the second benefit payable under the widow's pension will be increased to 25%. The total of both benefits cannot exceed three times the amount of the lowest pension, which is currently PLN 5,342.88 gross. If the sum of benefits exceeds this amount, the benefits established in concurrence will be reduced by the amount of the excess.

Such a choice will also be available to those who are entitled to a pre-retirement benefit or allowance, a bridge pension, a teacher's compensation benefit, a disability pension, including a training pension.

What are the conditions for the payment of combined benefits

Payment of the widow's pension depends on whether the widower or widow meets all of the following conditions:

• is entitled to at least two different pension benefits, including a survivor pension from a deceased spouse,
• is of universal retirement age (that is, a widow is over 60 and a widower is 65),
• remained or had remained in the marital community until the date of the spouse's death,
• has an established right to a survivor pension from a deceased spouse at the earliest age of 55 (widow) or 60 (widower)
• is not currently married.

This is important, because the determination of the right to a widow's pension depends on the actual age of the widow or widower at the time of the husband's or wife's death. Thus, for example, a person who is widowed at age 50 meets the age requirement for a survivor's pension, but does not acquire the right to a widow's pension.

You can check the conditions in the widow's pension survey

The right to a widow's pension depends on the combined fulfillment of several conditions. To find out, you can fill out a questionnaire available HERE. It's a helpful tool that allows seniors to see if they will be able to collect the combined benefits. All you need to do is answer a few questions.

From January 1, 2025, you can apply for ERWD

If a widow or widower meets the conditions for claiming a widow's pension, from January 1, 2025, she can file an ERWD application to determine the concurrence of benefits with a survivor's pension.

If the widow or widower has not yet applied for a second benefit, i.e. a survivor's or self-inflicted benefit, but meets all other conditions for a widow's pension, it is worthwhile to apply now for the calculation of the second benefit.

Source: zus.pl