Can I draw a widow's pension together with my own pension?
Yes, under the widow's pension — but after meeting the conditions. The widow's pension is not a new benefit but a mechanism for combining a survivor's pension after a late spouse with your own old-age or disability pension. In 2026 the combination works as 100% of one benefit and 15% of the other — you pick the more favourable variant (e.g. 100% of the survivor's pension + 15% of your own, or vice versa). Conditions: being 60 (women) or 65 (men), having an established right to both your own benefit and the survivor's pension after the spouse, and remaining in marital community until their death. After remarrying the right to the widow's pension is lost. From 1 March 2026 a limit on combined benefits applies — 5,935.47 zł gross (three times the lowest pension). From 2027 the second benefit rises to 25%.
📋 The rules
- Combining a survivor's pension with your own pension
- 2026: 100% of one + 15% of the other (choice of variant)
- Age: 60 (women) / 65 (men)
- Marital community required until the spouse's death
- Limit from 1 March 2026: 5,935.47 zł gross
🔓 Exceptions
- Remarriage after the spouse's death: loss of the widow's pension
- Divorce or court-ordered separation: usually no right
- From 2027: the second benefit rises from 15% to 25%
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The widow's pension is not due to those who don't meet the conditions — including after divorce or court-ordered separation, or who have remarried. Combined benefits can't exceed the limit (from 1 March 2026, 5,935.47 zł gross) — the excess isn't paid. Giving false data or not reporting changes (e.g. remarriage) risks an obligation to repay wrongly drawn amounts. To use the widow's pension: establish whether you have a right to both benefits, file an application with ZUS (form ZUS Rwd) indicating the more favourable variant, attach the required documents (including the death and marriage certificates) and inform ZUS of changes affecting your right.
📎 Official sources
- ZUS · Widow's pension →
- ISAP · Act on pensions from the Social Insurance Fund →
- Gov.pl · Widow's pension →
❓ Frequently asked
What is the widow's pension?
It's not a separate benefit but a mechanism to combine a survivor's pension after a late spouse with your own old-age or disability pension. Instead of choosing only one benefit, the eligible person draws one in full and the other in part, raising the total payment.
How much is the widow's pension in 2026?
In 2026 the combination works as 100% of one benefit and 15% of the other — you pick the more favourable variant. The total can't exceed the limit, which from 1 March 2026 is 5,935.47 zł gross, i.e. three times the lowest pension. From 2027 the second part rises to 25%.
Who can draw the widow's pension?
A person who has turned 60 (women) or 65 (men), has an established right to both their own pension and a survivor's pension after a late spouse, and remained in marital community with them until their death. After remarrying, this right is lost.
Is the widow's pension due after divorce?
As a rule no. The condition is remaining in marital community until the spouse's death. Divorced people or those in court-ordered separation usually don't meet this requirement, so they have no right to combine benefits under the widow's pension.
How do I apply for the widow's pension?
The application (form ZUS Rwd) is filed with ZUS, indicating the more favourable combination variant. You must have an established right to both benefits and attach the required documents, including the spouse's death certificate and the marriage certificate. Report changes such as remarriage to ZUS.
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