Rules for granting a disability pension from ZUS

The annuity may be permanent or periodic. The former is due to the insured person whose incapacity for work has been recognized as permanent. You are entitled to a periodic pension if your incapacity for work is temporary.

"It is due for the period indicated in the decision of the pension authority. After this period, the insured person may apply to ZUS for extending the right to the pension for a further period," ZUS informs on its website.

How much is the disability pension?

From March 1, 2026, the lowest pension for total incapacity for work is PLN 1,978.49 gross per month. People with partial disability can count on a minimum of PLN 1,483.87 gross.

The amount of the benefit depends on the degree of incapacity and insurance history.

Who can apply for a pension?

The mere diagnosis of the disease does not guarantee receipt of a pension. It is necessary to obtain a certificate from a ZUS certifying doctor confirming incapacity for work - total or partial.

Total incapacity means the inability to perform any gainful work, and partial incapacity means the loss of the ability to work in accordance with qualifications.

In addition to your health condition, insurance experience is also important. The required period depends on the age at which the incapacity for work occurred. For example, people over 30 must have at least 5 years of insurance in the last 10 years. This condition does not apply to people with long experience (women - 20 years, men - 25 years).

List of diseases entitling you to a pension

ZUS does not publish a closed list of diseases that automatically guarantee a pension. However, in practice, the benefit is most often granted to people struggling with:

- circulatory system diseases,

- neurological diseases,

- chronic respiratory diseases,

- serious vision problems

- mental disorders (e.g. depression, schizophrenia),

- cancer diseases,

- chronic skin diseases,

- infectious and parasitic diseases,

- diseases of the musculoskeletal system,

- diseases of bones, joints, muscles and connective tissue.

In the case of occupational diseases (e.g. pneumoconiosis, chronic voice diseases, partial hearing loss), you can also apply for benefits if the disease led to incapacity for work.

Pension is not for everyone - what matters is the impact of the disease on life

It is worth remembering that just having a diagnosis is not enough. ZUS examines whether the disease actually prevents work and whether there is a chance to improve health or professional retraining. The decision may be issued for a maximum of 5 years.

Statistics: Who most often receives a pension?

In 2025, ZUS awarded a total of 40,076 disability pensions. Most decisions concerned people over 50 years of age.

Over 27,000 people received a pension due to partial incapacity, and over 10,000 - total inability to work. The remaining cases concerned people who also required care allowance.