Fourteenth Pension 2025: fresh limits for seniors

In 2025, Polish pensioners can again anticipate an additional benefit in the form of a fourteenth pension. However, the income limits introduced will not all receive the full amount, and any may be completely deprived of this support. These changes rise controversy and rise questions about the fairness of existing rules.

New income limits in 2025

In 2025, the income threshold for receiving the full amount of the fourteenth pension was set at 2 900 PLN gross. This means that pensioners whose monthly benefits do not exceed this amount will receive a full 14th. Those with higher incomes will gotta face a simplification in benefits under the “gold for gold” principle, meaning that the fourteenth pension will be reduced by the amount of the threshold overrun. Seniors with a pension well above the set limit may not receive an additional benefit at all.

Impact of valorisation on benefits

The yearly valorisation of pensions aims to adjust benefits to rising life costs. However, in the context of the 14th retirement, it can have unexpected effects. The increase in the basic pension as a consequence of valorisation may consequence in exceeding the threshold of PLN 2,900 gross, resulting in a simplification or failure of the right to a fourteenth pension. Paradoxically, alternatively of improving the financial situation, any seniors may experience deterioration due to the applicable limits.

Examples of calculations

To better illustrate the impact of the fresh limits on the 14th pension, we present any examples:

1. Retirement before valuation: PLN 2 800 gross
   • On my arm.: about PLN 2 512
   • Fourteenth Pension in 2024 (on hand): PLN 1 406.67
   • Retirement after valorisation: about PLN 2 900 gross
   • Fourteenth Pension in 2025 (on hand): PLN 1 441,81
2. Retirement before valuation: PLN 3 400 gross
   • On my arm.: about PLN 2,986
   • Fourteenth Pension in 2024 (on hand): PLN 1 011,95
   • Retirement after valorisation: about PLN 3 133.73 gross
   • Fourteenth Pension in 2025 (on hand): PLN 941,64

As can be seen, even a slight excess of the income threshold can importantly affect the amount of benefit received. Seniors with a pension somewhat exceeding PLN 2,900 gross may receive fourteen in a importantly reduced amount or not receive it at all.

Controversies around existing legislation

The current income limits are controversial. Many elder experts and organisations point to the unfairness of the strategy in which persons with income somewhat exceeding the set threshold lose the right to the full amount of the fourteenth pension. In addition, the “gold for gold” mechanics does not always benefit pensioners, especially in the context of rising costs of surviving and inflation.

Proposals for changes and expectations of seniors

In consequence to criticism, there are proposals for changes in the strategy of granting 14th retirement. 1 of the solutions considered is raising the income threshold or introducing more flexible criteria that would take into account regional differences in life costs and individual needs of seniors. any besides propose the full abolition of income limits, arguing that an additional benefit should be granted to all pensioners regardless of their basic pension.

Fourteenth retirement in 2025, although it provides crucial support to many seniors, in its present form it can lead to injustice and disappointment. The current income limits make any pensioners receive a reduced benefit or no benefit at all. In the face of rising costs of surviving and inflation, it is essential to reconsider the existing rules and consider changes.