Training pension
FUS benefit for persons who have lost the ability to perform their previous work due to illness or accident, and have received a ZUS medical assessment of the appropriateness of vocational retraining (art. 60 sec. 1 of the FUS Act). Paid for 6 months (extendable up to 30 months in total). Amount: 75% of the contribution base, minimum 75% of the lowest pension.
Check in the calculator →Who is entitled to the training pension?
- Persons who have lost the ability to perform their previous work (illness, accident)
- Persons with a ZUS medical assessment confirming the appropriateness of vocational retraining
- Persons referred by the county office (starostwo) or the County Employment Office (PUP)
- Persons meeting the contribution requirements for the incapacity pension (art. 58 — 1-5 years depending on age)
- Persons before reaching retirement age
Niche benefit (~5-10,000 beneficiaries). Requires BOTH conditions simultaneously: ZUS assessment of the appropriateness of retraining AND referral from the employment office to a specific retraining programme. A disability assessment alone is NOT sufficient.
How to apply?
Step 1: ZUS assessment
Apply for an incapacity pension (ZUS Rp-1). A ZUS medical examiner will assess whether the ability to perform the previous work has been lost and whether vocational retraining is appropriate.
Step 2: employment office
Register as a job seeker at the PUP. Apply for a referral to a specific vocational retraining programme (course, training).
Step 3: ZUS grants the pension
After obtaining the referral, ZUS grants the training pension for the retraining period (6 months + possible extensions up to 30 months in total).
After training
After completing retraining, the training pension expires. If you are still unable to work, you may apply for conversion into an incapacity pension.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the training pension in 2026?
- 75% of the contribution base, minimum 75% of the lowest incapacity pension. In 2026: minimum = 75% × PLN 1,978.49 ≈ PLN 1,484/month.
- How long is the training pension paid?
- Normally 6 months (art. 60 sec. 4 of the FUS Act). Possible extensions for further 6-month periods, up to 30 months in total — requires reassessment by a ZUS medical examiner.
- Can I work while receiving the training pension?
- Yes, but only within the retraining programme (internships, practice). Work outside the programme leads to loss of entitlement (art. 60 sec. 6).
- What if I do not complete the retraining?
- ZUS will assess whether you are still unable to work. If so — you may apply for an incapacity pension. If you have regained the ability to work — the pension expires.
- Is this benefit known by any other name?
- Training pension is the statutory name (art. 60). Sometimes incorrectly called "rehabilitation pension" — that is a different benefit (art. 18 of the Act of 25.06.1999).
Have you lost the ability to perform your previous work?
Check in the calculator whether you qualify for the training pension and which other benefits you can combine it with.
Open the calculator →