Of these, 158,172 payments went to the accounts of seniors in the area served by the Legnica ZUS branch, totaling PLN 189,787,600; in the area served by the Wałbrzych branch, 244,072 people received the additional pension, worth PLN 292,877,000; and in the area served by the Wrocław branch, 260,462 seniors received payments totaling PLN 312,505,400.
What do you need to do to receive the “thirteenth pension”?
ZUS:
To receive the “thirteenth pension,” you must have an established right to a retirement or disability pension as of March 31, 2020, and be receiving that benefit. If payment is suspended on that date, for example because of excessive additional earnings, the “thirteenth pension” will not be paid. This also applies to bridging pensions, pre-retirement benefits and allowances, social pensions, teachers’ compensatory benefits, war and military disability pensions, as well as supplementary parental benefits under the “Mama 4 plus” program.
“The money under the ‘thirteenth pension’ is paid automatically, so there was nothing you needed to do. You only had to sit comfortably in your armchair and wait for the monthly payment, on the standard date when the money usually reaches your account,” says Iwona Kowalska-Matis, ZUS regional press spokesperson in Lower Silesia. “This year, the ‘thirteenth pension’ amounts to PLN 1,200 gross, or PLN 981 net, and is the same for everyone.”
Only one “thirteenth pension” is granted for a survivor’s pension received by several people. ZUS will divide it equally among all eligible recipients. For example, if two people receive one survivor’s pension, each will receive PLN 600 gross.
“Importantly, the ‘thirteenth pension’ is exempt from bailiff enforcement and other deductions, even if the money reaches the account. The benefit has a special description, allowing the bailiff to easily identify it among the transfers,” explains I. Kowalska-Matis.
Nationwide, thirteenth pensions have already been paid to more than 8 million retirees and pensioners. More than PLN 7.8 billion has reached eligible recipients together with their April retirement or disability pension. The Social Insurance Institution will pay the additional benefits to approximately 9 million people. Most thirteenth pensions will be paid in April. Since the last payment date falls on April 25, which is a Saturday, retirees and pensioners will receive the thirteenth pension on Friday.
ZUS pays the so-called thirteenth pensions together with the benefit due for April, on the standard payment date for a retirement or disability pension. ZUS payment dates include the 1st, 5th, 6th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th day of the month.
Indexation and “thirteenth pension” award decisions in one envelope
ZUS has also begun sending decisions on the new amount of retirement or disability pensions following indexation, along with decisions granting the so-called “thirteenth pension.” Retirees will receive this information in a single postal shipment to reduce costs.