The Social Insurance Institution started an yearly action to verify benefits, which for thousands of Poles may end with an unpleasant surprise. A mass shipment of letters has just begun with a summons to return the unduly collected money. Many pensioners and pensioners who worked for their benefits in 2024 may shortly find a letter from the Social Insurance Institution in the box requesting a return of up to PLN a twelve thousand. This situation creates large stress and uncertainty, especially among the aged for whom retirement is the main origin of livelihood. The action is the consequence of the yearly settlement of revenues which ZUS is required to carry out by the end of May each year.
The main problem is those who receive early retirement and pensions that have not yet reached the general retirement age. It is for them that the legislator has provided strict income limits, which consequence in a simplification or even a full suspension of the benefit. In this article we explain who is the most susceptible to the call to return what are the key limits for 2025 and what to do step by step erstwhile you receive a letter from the Social safety Office.
Who's on the mark of ZUS? See if you request to worry.
Calls to return money from ZUS are not sent at random. The main hazard group is pensioners who have not yet reached a universal retirement age (currently 60 years for women and 65 years for men) and at the same time they took up employment. The law allows them to make extra money, but introduces strict income limits to prevent them from reaping full benefits while achieving advanced earnings. If the yearly settlement shows that the individual afraid has exceeded the set thresholds, the Social safety Office shall be obliged to request reimbursement of the excess amount paid.
It is worth noting that the work to observe limits does not apply to all seniors. People who have already reached the general retirement age can extrapolate without any restrictions and do not gotta fear to reduce or suspend their pension. Their provision is full protected. The problem concerns only people on alleged early pensions, incapacity pensions and household pensions. It is these people who gotta make an yearly message to the Social safety Office on the revenues on the basis of which the office carries out verifications. If they do not do so, the Social Insurance Institution may suspend payment of the benefit and besides request information on income for the full year.
New income limits in 2025. These amounts may not be exceeded
The 2 income thresholds that are updated on a quarterly basis on the basis of the average remuneration in the economy are key for each earner. Their exceeding has direct financial consequences. In 2025, based on wage growth forecasts, these limits will be even higher, but the rules stay unchanged.
Here's how these mechanisms work:
- 70% average wage threshold: If the monthly income from work exceeds that amount, ZUS will reduce the benefits by the amount of the excess. However, there is simply a maximum amount of simplification that protects the recipients from the failure of the full pension.
- 130% of average wage: Crossing this threshold is much more severe. In specified a situation ZUS suspends payment of benefits for the period in full. This means that the full amount of the pension for this period will be considered as unduly collected and will be recoverable.
To avoid problems, the communication of the Central Statistical Office should be monitored on an ongoing basis on average remuneration and self-control. Remember that income includes not only the remuneration from the employment contract, but besides the contract of order or income from business activity. Regular checks on earnings are the best way to avoid having to pay back after a year's settlement.
Not just moonlighting. another reasons for calling for reimbursement
Although exceeding income limits is the most common origin of calls, there are also situations that may consequence in overpayment. ZUS may besides request reimbursement if the benefit was granted or paid on the basis of false statements or false documents. This may include, for example, concealing information on another sources of income or presenting unreliable wellness certificates in the case of an pension.
Another case is the right to respective benefits. Sometimes taking 1 benefit excludes the anticipation of receiving another. If ZUS finds out that he has paid 2 excluded benefits after a while, it will require the return of 1 of them. Problems may besides arise in the event of a change in the situation of life that affects the right to benefit – for example, the matrimony of a survivor. Importantly, the work of reimbursement may besides arise as a consequence of error of the office itself. Even if it was ZUS that was incorrect in the calculations and paid the overpaid benefit, in rule he would request reimbursement of the overpaid amount for a period of up to 3 years back.
Did you receive a letter from the Social safety Office? Here's what you gotta do step by step.
Taking a letter from the Social Insurance Institution with a call for payment is simply a stressful situation, but it is crucial to act rationally. Panic is the worst advisor. Here's what you request to do, step by step:
1. Read and analyse the writing. The ZUS decision must clearly indicate the reasons for the request for reimbursement and the exact amount and period of overpayment. Check that the information provided by the Office agrees with your papers (e.g. contracts, payrolls).
2. Contact ZUS to explain. If you do not realize the basis of the decision or think it is wrong, make an appointment at the ZUS facility or usage the hotline. The worker is obliged to explain to you where the underpayment came from. This is the best time to present your arguments and possible evidence.
3. Consider an appeal. If you are convinced that ZUS is wrong, you the right to appeal the decision to the labour court and social security. You have 1 period from the day you received the letter. The appeal shall describe its position precisely and attach any evidence to its support.
4. Apply for payment. If the call is justified, but you are incapable to repay the full amount once, you can submit to ZUS request for instalments. The justification should describe your hard material and household situation. ZUS frequently responds to specified requests, setting a convenient agenda of repayments.
In summary, yearly verification of benefits by ZUS is simply a standard procedure, which will again affect thousands of Poles in 2025. The key to avoiding problems is the awareness of the rules in force, the ongoing monitoring of their finances and the fast consequence erstwhile they receive a letter of their own motion. cognition of your rights, including the ability to appeal or negociate payment in instalments, allows you to effectively manage even the most hard situation.
Continued here:
ZUS began mass mailing of letters. You may be forced to pay your pension back!
