Family Pension from ZUS: Who is Entitled, How Much it is, and How to Apply (ERR)

Note: this guide is for informational purposes and is based on regulations in force in Poland (as of June 2026). Amounts and thresholds (including the minimum pension and earning limits) change periodically - always check the current values on the ZUS website.

What is a Family Pension

A family pension is a benefit from ZUS for family members of a deceased person who, at the time of death, was entitled to a pension or annuity or met the conditions for one of these benefits (was insured for a sufficient period). It is intended to replace the income that the family lost with the deceased.

The Most Important Rule: One Pension for the Whole Family

All eligible family members are entitled to one total family pension, not separate benefits for each. If there are several eligible persons, the pension is divided among them equally.

Who is Entitled to a Family Pension

It is most commonly received by children and a widow or widower, and in some situations, also by parents.

Children

The pension is granted to biological children, stepchildren, and adopted children:

• until the age of 16,
• if they are studying - until the age of 25,
• if the child turns 25 in the last year of studies - until the end of that academic year,
• regardless of age, if they became completely unable to work at an age qualifying for the pension.

Under similar conditions, grandchildren, siblings, and other children taken into care may receive the pension if they meet additional requirements (including being taken into care sufficiently early before death).

Widow and Widower

The spouse will receive a family pension if, at the time of the deceased spouse's death:

• they were at least 50 years old or were unable to work, or
• they are raising at least one child (grandchild, sibling) entitled to a pension from the deceased, who has not yet turned 16 (18 if studying), or is caring for a child unable to work.

The right to the pension will also arise if the spouse turns 50 or becomes unable to work within 5 years of the spouse's death or the cessation of previous pension rights.

The condition is usually remaining in marital union until the day of death. A divorced or separated spouse may receive a pension if they had the right to alimony from the deceased.

If the widow or widower does not meet the above conditions and has no source of income, they may receive a temporary family pension - for one year from the date of death or for the duration of participation in training aimed at acquiring a new profession (for no longer than 2 years).

Parents

The parents of the deceased are entitled to a family pension if the deceased contributed to their maintenance directly before death and meet the same conditions as the widow or widower (age 50, inability to work, or raising an eligible child).

How Much is the Family Pension

The family pension is a percentage of the benefit that would have been due to the deceased - depending on the number of eligible persons.

There is also a minimum guaranteed family pension. As of March 1, 2026, it amounts to 1,978.49 PLN gross - if the calculated pension would be lower, ZUS raises it to this amount. It is advisable to check the minimum amount on the ZUS website, as it changes every year.

ERR Form and Required Documents

The application for a family pension is submitted on the ERR form. The most commonly required documents are:

• ERR application,
• death certificate of the deceased,
• marriage certificate (when the widow or widower is applying),
• birth certificate of the child (when the pension concerns a child),
• identity document of the applicant,
• certificate of education (for children aged 16-25),
• documents regarding the deceased's employment and earnings, if ZUS does not have them.

Where and How to Submit the Application

• in person at a ZUS office,
• by mail,
• electronically via the ZUS Electronic Services Platform (PUE/eZUS),
• from abroad - via PUE/eZUS or through a Polish consulate.

As a rule, the pension is granted from the date the right arises (i.e., from the date of death), if the application is submitted in the month of death or the following month. For later applications, the pension is usually paid from the month it is submitted, so it is advisable not to delay.

Earning Additional Income with a Family Pension

The family pension can be combined with work, but with higher earnings, the benefit may be reduced or suspended. The thresholds relate to the average salary and are announced by ZUS quarterly:

• earnings above 70 percent of the average salary - the pension may be reduced,
• earnings above 130 percent of the average salary - the pension may be suspended.

Important for students: a contract of mandate concluded with a student under 26 years of age (exempt from contributions) is not counted towards the limit. Additionally, when several persons are entitled to one pension, only the portion attributable to the person earning additional income is subject to reduction due to earnings.

Family Pension and Other Benefits

• Own pension or annuity: as a rule, one cannot simultaneously receive two benefits in full - ZUS pays one, the more favorable one (unless the regulation states otherwise).
• Widow's pension: from 2025, widows and widowers may, to some extent, combine their own benefit with part of the family pension (so-called widow's pension). The rules and percentages are being introduced gradually - check the current rules on the ZUS website.
• Thirteenth and fourteenth pensions: the family pension entitles to them. When several persons are entitled to one pension, one additional benefit is granted, divided proportionally among the entitled.

KRUS and Other Systems

If the deceased was a farmer insured with KRUS, the family pension is paid by KRUS on similar principles. It is advisable to first determine where the deceased was insured.

What People Most Often Do Not Know

• That it is one pension for the whole family, divided equally, not separate benefits.
• That a child can receive a pension until the age of 25, if studying (with an extension until the end of the academic year).
• That a widow under 50 without children also has an option - a temporary family pension.
• That a divorced spouse with the right to alimony can receive a pension.
• That the parents of the deceased may be entitled, if they were dependent on their support.
• That earning has limits, but a contract of mandate for a student under 26 does not count.
• That the family pension grants the right to the 13th and 14th pensions.
• That the date of application submission matters - submitted too late means payment only from the month of application.

For the Polish Diaspora: Death or Residence Abroad

• If the deceased was receiving a Polish pension or annuity or was insured with ZUS, the family living abroad can also apply for a family pension,
• the ERR application can be submitted via PUE/eZUS or through a Polish consulate,
• a death certificate will be needed (foreign if necessary with translation), and for studying children - a certificate of education,
• if the deceased was also insured in another EU or EFTA country, the insurance periods may be summed, and part of the benefit may be paid by the local institution.

How to Obtain a Pension - Step by Step

1. Determine where the deceased was insured (ZUS or KRUS).
2. Check who in the family meets the conditions (children, widow or widower, parents).
3. Prepare the death certificate and other documents (including a certificate of education for children).
4. Fill out and submit the ERR form (in person, by mail, or via PUE/eZUS).
5. Do this preferably in the month of death or the following month, so that the pension is due from the date of death.
6. After approval, keep track of obligations: report the child's education and higher earnings.

See Also

• Funeral Benefit 2026 - amount, form Z-12, and how to apply
• Unrealized Benefits from ZUS after the Deceased (ENS application)
• Funds from ZUS Subaccount and OFE - inheritance (USS application)
• Inheritance in Poland - inheritance, debts, and forced heirship

Frequently Asked Questions

Will each eligible person receive a separate pension?

No. There is one total family pension divided equally among the eligible.

Until when does a studying child receive the pension?

Until the age of 25, and if they turn 25 in the last year of studies - until the end of the academic year.

Will a widow under 50 receive a pension?

Yes, if they are raising an eligible child or are unable to work. Otherwise, they may receive a temporary family pension.

Can one earn additional income while receiving a family pension?

Yes, but with higher earnings, the pension may be reduced or suspended. A contract of mandate for a student under 26 does not count towards the limit.

What form should be submitted?

The ERR form - application for a family pension.

Does the family pension grant the right to the thirteenth and fourteenth pensions?

Yes. When several persons are entitled to one pension, one additional benefit is granted, divided among them.

Checklist

• The insurance institution of the deceased has been determined (ZUS or KRUS).
• It has been checked who in the family meets the conditions.
• The death certificate and other documents have been prepared.
• For children aged 16-25, a certificate of education has been attached.
• The ERR form has been submitted (preferably in the month of death or the following month).
• Plans have been made to report the child's education and higher earnings.

Legal Basis

• Act of December 17, 1998 on pensions and annuities from the Social Insurance Fund - provisions on family pensions (including Articles 65-74).
• Official information from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and the government portal gov.pl.