Employment among seniors continues to rise. Over the past four years, the number of working pensioners has increased by approximately 30%. In 2018, women predominated among working pensioners, accounting for 56%. Nearly 90% of working pensioners were aged 60–65 and older. This group of working pensioners—those who have reached the statutory retirement age—can earn additional income without any limits and do not have to worry about settlements with ZUS.

“Early retirees and disability pensioners must carefully monitor the income they receive from additional work,” reminds Iwona Kowalska-Matis, ZUS’s regional press spokesperson in Lower Silesia. “The additional-earnings limits apply only to people who have not yet reached the age of 60 in the case of women and 65 in the case of men. Anyone who has already reached retirement age can earn additional income without any restrictions and does not have to worry that ZUS will suspend or reduce the amount of benefits it pays.”

She adds:

The amount of the retirement or disability pension due may be reduced, or entitlement to these benefits may be suspended, if the beneficiary earns income affecting pension entitlement above a specified threshold.

When will ZUS suspend or reduce an early retirement or disability pension?

I. Kowalska-Matis:

A benefit is reduced when income exceeds 70% of the average monthly salary for the calendar quarter most recently announced by the President of Statistics Poland. If income exceeds 130% of the average monthly salary, entitlement to a retirement pension, a disability pension due to incapacity for work, or a survivors’ pension to which one person is entitled is suspended.

How much can a pensioner or disability pensioner earn in 2020?

From 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020, the income amounts corresponding to:

  • 70% of the average monthly salary announced for the fourth quarter of 2019 amount to PLN 3,639.10—income above this amount will reduce the retirement or disability pension
  • 130% of the average monthly salary announced for the fourth quarter of 2019 amount to PLN 6,758.20—income above this amount will result in the suspension of the retirement or disability pension.