ZUS warns pensioners about scam messages threatening to suspend payments

Warning about fake pension messages

ZUS has cautioned seniors about text messages, emails and online notices that try to frighten recipients or tempt them with promises of extra money. The agency published examples of such content in its magazine for seniors, "ZUS dla Seniora" (Pilny komunikat ZUS dla emerytów – tysol.pl).

Among the sample messages are texts claiming a pension will be suspended unless the recipient confirms their details by clicking a link, offers of an extra 500 zloty if a form is filled in right away, and claims that doctors are hiding a natural cure for high blood pressure. Another example poses as a message from a family member in trouble who asks for money to be transferred without a phone call.

Pressure as a warning sign

According to ZUS, a common feature of these messages is urgency. Senders threaten to block an account or promise money within a very short window, leaving the recipient little time to think. The agency advises treating such deadlines as a signal to stop and check.

What the state pension office says recipients should do

The warning comes as the agency also prepares changes to survivor's pensions. From 1 January 2027, the renta wdowia, which combines a deceased spouse's family pension with the recipient's own benefit, will be paid as 100 percent of one benefit and 25 percent of the other. ZUS will apply the change automatically, without a new application (Zmiany w ważnym świadczeniu od 1 stycznia. Nowy komunikat od ZUS – dziennik.pl).

The combined total cannot exceed three times the lowest pension, which stands at 5,935.47 zloty gross following the March 2026 indexation. If the sum is higher, ZUS will reduce the payment by the excess amount.

Seniors who receive a message about their benefits should contact ZUS directly through official channels rather than through links or phone numbers given in the message.