13th pension in Poland 2026: who will receive 1970 zlotys and how the rules have changed

Social support program for the elderly in Poland

According to ХВИЛЯ: In Poland, the social support program for the elderly, known as 'trzynastka', continues to operate. In 2026, changes were made to the rules for calculation and the amount of payments within this program. This one-time benefit for pensioners will amount to 1970 gross zlotys, and the main requirement for receiving it is the pensioner status as of March 31, 2026.

Conditions for receiving the 13th pension

The 13th pension is granted automatically, and pensioners are entitled to receive it if they are receiving:

• old-age pensions,
• disability pensions,
• social pensions,
• compensation for teachers,
• pre-retirement assistance,
• childcare benefits,
• payments due to the loss of a breadwinner.

However, Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection (PESEL UKR) are not entitled to this assistance. It is also worth noting that retired judges and prosecutors, athletes with Olympic pensions, as well as persons with suspended pensions as of March 31, 2026, will not receive the benefit.

If the principal pension is up to 2500 gross zlotys, a 9% medical contribution is deducted from the 13th pension. If the basic pension exceeds 2500 gross zlotys, a 12% income tax is withheld. Funds will be transferred to pensioners along with the main payment for April. Pension payment dates are set for the 1st, 5th, 6th, 10th, 15th, 20th, or 25th of the month.

The changes in the 'trzynastka' program are an important step in supporting the elderly in Poland, especially in the context of rising living costs. At the same time, the exclusion of certain categories of citizens, particularly Ukrainians with temporary protection, highlights the complexity of social policy in the context of migration processes. It is expected that the new pension calculation rules will help improve the financial situation of many pensioners in the country, but their implementation will require careful monitoring to ensure fairness and accessibility of support.