Basically, people who receive a pension at retirement age (60 for women, 65 for men) can earn extra money without any restrictions. The additional income does not affect the amount of your pension. The situation is different in the case of early retirement. People who retire early are subject to certain income limits because they have not yet reached normal retirement age.
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Earnings limits for people retiring early are set quarterly and depend on average monthly earnings. The President of the Social Security Institution announces two main amounts every three months: 70 percent and 130 percent of the average salary. Exceeding the first limit results in a reduction in the amount of the pension, while exceeding the second leads to the total suspension of its payment.
Limits for earning extra money until retirement in 2024
In the period from December 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024, the income limits for pensioners and disability pensioners were specified in the statement by the President of the ZUS of November 13, 2023. These limits referred to income amounts corresponding to 70 percent and 130 percent of the average monthly salary of the third quarter of 2023 and influenced the amount of benefits received.
According to the latest ZUS guidelines, retirees can earn up to 70% of the average monthly salary in Poland for the third quarter of 2023, i.e. PLN 5,036.50 gross, without fear of having their pension reduced. Exceeding this limit will result in a proportional reduction in the benefit.
If the pensioner exceeds the income limit by an amount greater than the maximum reduction amount set, his/her pension will only be reduced by that maximum amount. For the period from 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024, the maximum pension reduction was PLN 794.35. This means that even if the additional income exceeds the limit of PLN 5,036.50 by a higher amount, the pension will be reduced by a maximum of PLN 794.35. If the pensioner’s income is higher than 130% of the average monthly wage in Poland for the third quarter of 2023, i.e. PLN 9,353.50 gross, the pension payment by the ZUS would be suspended.
Exceeding the earnings limit. Pension reduction or suspension
The August 12, 2024 announcement stated that revenue exceeding 70 percent of the average monthly salary for the second quarter of 2024, i.e. PLN 5,626.90, may result in a reduction or suspension of the retirement or disability pension. However, reaching revenue above 130 percent. this amount, i.e. PLN 10,450.00, also affects the amount of the retirement or disability benefit.
Since the beginning of 2024, several income limits for early retirees have been in force. The maximum limit, PLN 5,703.20, was valid from June to August. However, from September this limit was reduced to PLN 5,626.90. Exceeding this limit results in a proportional reduction in the retirement or disability benefit paid by ZUS. The maximum amount by which the benefit can be reduced is PLN 890.63. In addition, there is a second, higher income limit of PLN 10,450. Exceeding this limit results in the total suspension of the benefit payment.
Who does not apply earnings limits?
Pensioners who have reached the general retirement age (60/65 years) are not subject to earnings limits. The exception is people for whom the ZUS has increased their pension to the minimum benefit (currently PLN 1,780.96 gross). If these persons exceed the amount of the increase in additional income The ZUS will reduce the amount of the pension for a certain period to the amount calculated without taking into account the minimum allowance. Important, People who receive war disability pensions, military disability pensions or survivors’ pensions can also earn extra money without any restrictions. Persons receiving a survivor’s pension the amount of which exceeds the pension due upon reaching general retirement age, they are also not subject to income restrictions.
