The widow’s pension benefit is a new solution within the social insurance system, in force since 1 July 2025. It allows widowed individuals to combine their own retirement or disability benefit with a portion of the benefit to which their deceased spouse was entitled. This mechanism was introduced in response to long‑standing public demands to improve the financial situation of widows and widowers who, after the death of a spouse, often lost a significant part of their previous income.
In this article, we explain what the widow’s pension benefit is, who is eligible, what conditions must be met, how the application procedure works, and in which situations the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) may refuse to grant the benefit.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Widow’s Pension Benefit?
- Survivor’s Pension vs. Widow’s Pension
- Who Pays the Widow’s Pension Benefit?
- Payment Dates of the Widow’s Pension Benefit
- Widow’s Pension Benefit – Conditions for Granting
- When Can Social Insurance Institution Refuse to Grant the Widow’s Pension?
- How to Apply for the Widow’s Pension Benefit?
- Legal Basis
- Widow’s Pension Benefit – Summary
- FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Widow’s Pension Benefit
What Is the Widow’s Pension Benefit?
The widow’s pension benefit is not a separate, independent benefit. It is a possibility of receiving a combined benefit consisting of:
- 100% of one’s own retirement or disability pension and
- 15% of the survivor’s pension due after the deceased spouse,
or, alternatively:
- 100% of the survivor’s pension and
- 15% of one’s own benefit.
The option depends on what is more financially beneficial for the eligible person.
From 1 January 2027, the amount of the second benefit will increase from 15% to 25%. This change will further influence the real value of the widow’s pension.
Survivor’s Pension vs. Widow’s Pension
The survivor’s pension and the widow’s pension benefit are two different legal mechanisms. The survivor’s pension is a classic benefit paid after the death of an insured person. The widow’s pension is based on joint benefits. It allows partial use of both one’s own benefit and the benefit due after the deceased spouse.
A prerequisite for using the widow’s pension is prior entitlement to a survivor’s pension. If the survivor’s pension has not yet been granted, an application for its determination must be submitted first.
Who Pays the Widow’s Pension Benefit?
Benefits under the widow’s pension are paid by the competent pension institutions. This depends on the insurance system to which the deceased spouse belonged:
- Social Insurance Institution (ZUS in Poland),
- Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS in Poland),
- Military Pension Office,
- Pension Institution of the Ministry of the Internal Affairs and Administration,
- Pension Office of the Prison Service
In practice, around 90% of widows’ pension cases are handled by ZUS. In certain situations, joint benefits may be paid by two different institutions.
Payment Dates of the Widow’s Pension Benefit
If the application for the widow’s pension benefit was submitted by 31.07. 2025 and the decision is positive, the benefit is also due for July 2025. Applications submitted later result in payment starting from the month in which the application was received by the pension authority.
From August 2025, concurrent benefits are paid on fixed dates: the 1st, 6th, 10th, 15th, 20th, or 25th day of the month.
Widow’s Pension Benefit – Conditions for Granting
For a widow’s pension to be granted, the legislator has provided a closed list of conditions. All must be met together. Failure to meet even one condition results in a refusal to establish the right to the benefit.
Table 1. Conditions for Obtaining the Widow’s Pension
| Condition | Practical explanation |
| Reaching retirement age | At least 60 years for women and 65 for men. |
| Marital property community | Married until the spouse’s death (no separation) |
| A right to a survivor’s pension | The right arises no earlier than at the age of 55 years (women) or 60 (men). |
| No new marriage | The applicant must not be currently married to another person. |
Failure to meet any of the above conditions leads to a negative decision of the authority.
When Can Social Insurance Institution Refuse to Grant the Widow’s Pension?
The Social Insurance Institution may refuse to grant entitlement to a widow’s pension. This happens not only when personal conditions are not met. It also applies when specific financial or formal obstacles exist.
Table 2. Most Common Reasons for Refusal of the Widow’s Pension
| Reason for refusal | Legal effect |
| Exceeding the benefit limit | No entitlement to combined benefits if the amount exceeds three times the minimum pension. |
| No entitlement to survivor’s pension | The right to a survivor’s pension must be established first. |
| No personal benefit | No basis for determining benefit combination. |
| Entering into a new marriage | Entitlement to the widow’s pension ends. |
| Survivor’s pension acquired too early | The age requirement is not met. |
A refusal decision may be appealed to the labour and social security court competent for the place of residence. The time limit is one month from the date of delivery of the decision. As a next step, one can submit an appeal. If the statutory conditions are met, a cassation complaint to the Supreme Court may be filed.
How to Apply for the Widow’s Pension Benefit?
The application for the widow’s pension is submitted on the ERWD form. You can submit it:
- in writing at a ZUS office or by post,
- orally for the record at a ZUS unit,
- electronically via the PUE ZUS platform, using a trusted profile or an electronic signature.
Applicants may seek help from ZUS consultants or the relevant pension authority.
Legal Basis
The widow’s pension was introduced by the Act of 26 July 2024 amending the Act on pensions and disability benefits from the Social Insurance Fund and certain other acts (Journal of Laws of 2025, item 718).
Widow’s Pension Benefit – Summary
The widow’s pension is an important financial support to people receiving retirement or disability benefits after their spouse’s death. This solution involves many conditions and limitations. Yet, it allows a real increase in monthly income. Propper establishing the right to a survivor’s pension is essential. Submitting the application on time is also crucial.
If you are unsure whether you meet the conditions for the widow’s pension, contact us. Our legal experts can support you if you need help with the application. An individual analysis helps avoid mistakes. It also increases the chances of obtaining the benefit.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Widow’s Pension Benefit
Is the widow’s pension a new benefit?
No. It is a mechanism for combining existing benefits – one’s own benefit and the survivor’s pension.
Is the widow’s pension always paid by the Social Insurance Institution ZUS?
No. Depending on the insurance system, another institution may be competent.
Is the widow’s pension granted after entering into a new marriage?
No. Entering into a new marriage excludes the right to the widow’s pension.
Can you receive the widow’s pension and work at the same time?
Yes. Yet, general rules on earning additional income while receiving benefits apply.
When will the percentage of the second benefit increase to 25%?
From 1 January 2027.