Employment & labor law /

From March 1, 2020, higher earning limits for pensions

Persons who have not reached retirement age and are earning a pension must check that their earnings will not result in a reduction or suspension of the benefit. From March 1, 2020, the limits will be higher than in the previous quarter.

The professional activity of seniors is constantly increasing. Over the last four years, the number of working pensioners has increased by about 30 percent. In 2018, women predominated among working retirees and accounted for 56 percent. Nearly 90 percent of working retirees are aged 60 to 65 years and over. It is precisely this group of working pensioners, i. e. those who have reached the general retirement age, i. e. 60 years old – a woman and 65 years old – that a man can earn without any limits and not worry that ZUS will suspend or reduce the amount of benefits paid to him. The limits also do not apply to persons receiving a war-disabled person’s pension or survivor’s pension after this disability.

The limits apply only to people who have not yet reached universal retirement age.

Pursuant to the Act on Pensions from the Social Insurance Fund of December 17, 1998, the amount of a pension may be reduced or the right to these benefits may be suspended if the recipient achieves income affecting pension rights above a specified threshold amount.

What affects the reduction or suspension of a pension?

The pension may be reduced or suspended if the pensioner receives income from it:

  • work on the basis of an employment relationship (employment contract);
  • of the overhead work;
  • the contract of mandate or the agency contract, if the work is carried out for a period of at least 30 days;
  • the contract of mandate, the agency, the job;
  • a service contract to which the provisions of the Civil Code apply;
  • non-agricultural economic activities, the exercise of which is subject to social security obligations;
  • of the title of attorney;
  • working in an agricultural production cooperative and a cooperative of machinery rings;
  • paid employment, on the basis of referral to work, during imprisonment or temporary arrest;
  • to receive a sports scholarship;
  • the exercise of the mandate of a Member of the European Parliament and a Senator;
  • remuneration for the performance of the function of a supervisory board member;
  • serving in uniformed services (police, fire brigade, etc.)

When will ZUS suspend or reduce the pension?

The benefit is reduced if the income exceeds 70 percent of the average monthly salary for a calendar quarter, as last published by the President of the Central Statistical Office.

On the other hand, in the event of generating income in the amount of more than 130 percent of the above mentioned amount, the Company shall not be liable for any losses caused by the above mentioned loss. The average monthly salary, the right to a pension, invalidity pension and survivor’s pension to which one person is entitled shall be suspended.

How much can a pensioner earn in 2020?

From December 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020, the corresponding amount of revenue:

  • 70 percent of the average monthly salary announced for the third quarter of 2019 is PLN 3452. 20 – revenues above this amount will reduce the pension.
  • 130 percent of the average monthly salary announced for the third quarter of 2019 is PLN 6411. 10 – revenues above this amount will mean suspension of the pension.

From March 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020, the corresponding amount of revenue:

  • 70 percent of the average monthly salary announced for the fourth quarter of 2019 is PLN 3639. 00 – revenues above this amount will reduce the pension
  • 130 percent. The average monthly salary announced for the fourth quarter of 2019 is PLN 6758. 20 – revenues above this amount will mean suspension of the pension.

Obligations of the pensioner

The pensioner is obliged to immediately notify ZUS about taking up additional paid work and about the amount of income. A pensioner is obliged to notify ZUS about the total amount of income earned in the previous calendar year – by the end of February each year.

Contact us

Flaga Polski.POZNANPOLAND
Młyńska 16
61-730 Poznań
+48 61 853 56 48[email protected]
Flaga Polski.WARSAWPOLAND
Rondo ONZ 1
00-124 Warsaw
+48 22 300 16 74[email protected]
Flaga Polski.WROCLAWPOLAND
Swobodna 1
50-088 Wrocław
+48 61 853 56 48[email protected]
Flaga Polski.KRAKOWPOLAND
Opolska 110
31-355 Kraków
+48 61 853 56 48[email protected]
Flaga Polski.ZIELONA GÓRAPOLAND
Jana Sobieskiego 2/3
65-071 Zielona Góra
+48 61 853 56 48[email protected]