Family pension
Monthly benefit from FUS for family members of a deceased insured person, pensioner or annuitant. A widow/widower qualifies if she/he reached the age of 50, raises a child entitled to the pension, or is unable to work (art. 70 of the FUS Act). Children, grandchildren and siblings up to age 16 (or 25 if continuing education). The amount depends on the number of beneficiaries: 85% of the deceased's benefit for one person, 90% for two, 95% for three or more.
Check in the calculator →Who is entitled to the family pension?
- Widow or widower who reached the age of 50 at the time of the spouse's death or later (art. 70 sec. 1)
- Widow/widower raising a child, grandchild or sibling entitled to the pension (under 16, or 18 if in school)
- Widow/widower unable to work (ZUS medical assessment)
- Own children, the second spouse's children, adopted children — up to age 16; up to 25 if continuing education
- Grandchildren, siblings, children taken into care — if accepted before reaching adulthood
- Parents of the deceased — if the deceased contributed directly to their support before death
Family pension (art. 70) is a SEPARATE benefit from the widow's pension (art. 95a — a coincidence mechanism for combining own pension already received with family pension already received). To obtain the widow's pension, you must first have an established family pension.
How to apply?
Step 1: gather documents
Death certificate of the spouse, marriage certificate (for widow/widower) or child's birth certificate (for child-beneficiary), documents confirming the deceased's contribution history (employment certificates, RP-7), school enrolment certificate (for children aged 16-25).
Step 2: form ZUS Rp-2
Submit the ZUS Rp-2 form at any ZUS office, by post or via PUE ZUS. The application can be submitted at any time after the insured person's death — the pension is granted from the month in which the right arose (no earlier than 12 months before the application date).
Step 3: ZUS decision
ZUS issues a decision within 30 days (usually 60-90 days). The pension is paid monthly, indexed each year on 1 March. There is the option to appeal within 30 days of the decision.
PUE ZUS portal
The fastest route — online form with the option to attach scanned documents. Application status visible in the PUE panel.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the family pension in 2026?
- 85% of the deceased's benefit for one beneficiary (e.g. widow only), 90% for two (widow + child), 95% for three or more. Guaranteed minimum = lowest pension = PLN 1,978.49/month from 1.03.2026. Typical amount: PLN 1,500-3,000 monthly depending on the deceased's contribution history and base.
- Can I draw my own pension and the family pension at the same time?
- As a rule — no. ZUS awards the higher of the two benefits (art. 95 sec. 1 of the FUS Act). Exception: from 1.07.2025 a new "widow's pension" mechanism (art. 95a) — the possibility of receiving 100% of one benefit + 15% of the other (rising to 25% from 1.01.2027), up to a cap of three times the lowest pension. Conditions: retirement age, no separation until the spouse's death, family pension acquired no earlier than 5 years before retirement.
- Until when can a child receive a family pension?
- Up to age 16 unconditionally. Up to age 25 if continuing education at school/university (certificate required). Without age limit — if the child became fully unable to work before reaching 16 (or 25 if in education).
- What if the widow has not reached 50 and is not raising a child?
- She/he may receive a family pension during a transitional period — for one year from the spouse's death, if there is no other source of livelihood (art. 70 sec. 2). After this period the right is lost, unless one of the permanent conditions is met (age 50+, caring for a child, inability to work).
- Is the family pension indexed?
- Yes. Every year on 1 March together with other pensions and annuities, using the indexation factor announced by the ZUS President in the Monitor Polski. Indexation 2026: 105.3% (M.P. 2026 item 202).
Check your entitlement
The calculator will show whether you qualify for the family pension and which other benefits you can combine it with (nursing supplement, 13th/14th pension, widow's pension).
Open the calculator →