Every year, on 1 March, pension benefits are valued, which aims at realising their value in the face of inflation. After years erstwhile the dynamic price increase translated into impressive, two-digit increases reaching 14.8 percent (in 2023) and 12.12 percent (in 2024), this year's bonus proved to be much more modest.
The rate of 5.5% made the minimum pension increase from PLN 1,780.96 to PLN 1,878.91 gross, but for many seniors the increase was symbolic. In practice, the individual with the benefit of PLN 1800 gained only PLN 99 gross, which means an even smaller amount "on hand" and provided small support, especially for those with the lowest pensions.
Valorisation of pensions in 2026 What mechanics of increases does the government propose?
While the full planet of Polish politics was busy with the reconstruction of the government, at the same time the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers adopted the draft next year's valorization of pensions. "Fact" states that now the Council of Ministers will be able to decide whether the proposed mechanics of increases will enter into force in 2026. What's he wearing?
"Valorisation is to be as advanced as inflation and a rate of 20% of real wage growth for 2025. That's the minimum rules. The government could rise the share of wage increases and the unionists have asked for this, but it has not yet decided. So calculated valorization would amount to 4.9 percent." - explains "Fact".
The March value of benefits, as well as thirteen and fourteen, would cost the state PLN 22 billion next year. specified valorisation, although costly to the budget, for pensioners with low benefits means small profit anyway. The following calculations, based on the "Fact" data, show who and how much could gain ("on hand" on this solution.
A projected pension increase. Those with higher benefits will benefit most
PLN 1800,00 gross (PLN 1638.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 1888.20 gross (1718.26 net) / profit: PLN 80.26
PLN 1878.91 gross (1709.81 net) - after valorization: PLN 1970.98 gross (1793.59 net) / profit: PLN 83.78
1900,00 PLN gross (1729,00 PLN net) - after valorization: 1993.10 PLN gross (1813.72 PLN net) / profit: 84.72 PLN
PLN 2000,00 gross (1820,00 net) - after valorization: PLN 2098.00 gross (1909.18 net) / profit: PLN 89.18
PLN 2100,00 gross (1911,00 net) - after valorization: PLN 2202,90 gross (2004,64 net) / profit: PLN 93,64
PLN 2200,00 gross (PLN 2,200 net) - after valorization: PLN 2307.80 gross (PLN 2,100.10 net) / profit: PLN 98.10
PLN 2300,00 gross (PLN 2093.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 2412.70 gross (PLN 2195.56 net) / profit: PLN 102.56
PLN 2400,00 gross (2184.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 2517.60 gross (PLN 2280.02) / profit: PLN 96.02
2500,00 PLN gross (2275,00 PLN net) - after valorization: 2622,50 PLN gross (2371,78 PLN net) / profit: 96,78 PLN
PLN 2600,00 gross (2354.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 2727.40 gross (2454.65 net) / profit: PLN 100.65
PLN 2700,00 gross (2433.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 2832.30 gross (2537.52 net) / profit: PLN 104.52
PLN 2800,00 gross (2512.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 2937.20 gross (PLN 2620.39 net) / profit: PLN 108.39
PLN 2900,00 gross (PLN 2591,00 net) - after valorization: PLN 3042.10 gross (PLN 2703.26 net) / profit: PLN 112.26
300,00 PLN gross (2670,00 PLN net) - after valorization: 3147,00 PLN gross (2786,13 PLN net) / profit: 116,13 PLN
PLN 3000,00 gross (PLN 274,9 net) - after valorization: PLN 3251,90 gross (PLN 286,9 net) / profit: PLN 120,00
PLN 3200,00 gross (PLN 2828.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 3356.80 gross (PLN 2951.87 net) / profit: PLN 123.87
PLN 3300,00 gross (PLN 2907.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 3461.70 gross (3034.74 net) / profit: PLN 127.74
PLN 3400,00 gross (PLN 2986.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 3566.60 gross (PLN 3117.61 net) / profit: PLN 131.61
PLN 3500,00 gross (PLN 306,000 net) - after valorization: PLN 3671.50 gross (PLN 3200.49 net) / profit: PLN 135.49
PLN 3600,00 gross (PLN 3144.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 3776.40 gross (PLN 3283.36 net) / profit: PLN 139.36
PLN 3800,00 gross (PLN 3223.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 3881.30 gross (PLN 3366.23 net) / profit: PLN 143.23
PLN 3800,00 gross (PLN 3302.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 3986.20 gross (PLN 3449.10 net) / profit: PLN 147.10
PLN 3900,00 gross (PLN 3381.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 4091.10 gross (PLN 3531.97 net) / profit: PLN 150.97
PLN 4000,00 gross (PLN 3460.00 net) - after valorization: PLN 4196.00 gross (PLN 3614.84 net) / profit: PLN 154.84
PLN 4500,00 gross (PLN 3855,00 net) - after valorization: PLN 4720,50 gross (4029,19 net) / profit: PLN 174,19
PLN 5000,00 gross (PLN 4250,00 net) - after valorization: PLN 5245,00 gross (PLN 4443,55 net) / profit: PLN 193,55
Karol Nawrocki has his retirement plan. Valorisation should have a lower threshold
It is possible that next year's valorisation will be carried out on another principles. President-elect Karol Nawrocki has in charge of his project, which establishes a quota-interest mechanics with a guaranteed minimum increase of PLN 150 gross.
This amendment aims to support people with pensions to around PLN 3000 gross, which are most affected by inflation. For the vast majority of pensioners, especially those with lower benefits, the Karol Nawrocki task would be more favourable than the household hotel task (just through this minimum threshold).
However, the President's task may not cover people who receive "hungry" pensions, which is lower than the lowest statutory benefit (i.e. PLN 1,878.91 gross). What the valorisation of pensions will look like in 2026 is so an open substance and will depend on the result of the clash between the current ruling coalition and the future president.
