Cancellation of Social Security premiums for flood victims – applications now available

Beginning January 6, 2025, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and individuals engaged in agricultural activities affected by the September 2024 floods may apply for cancellation of Social Security premiums. The support program covers both paid and overdue premiums for the period from August 1 to December 31, 2024.

Who can benefit from redemption?

Aid is available to premium payers operating in disaster areas that show a decrease in revenue of at least 40 percent compared to:

• September 2024 with September 2023,
• October 2024 with October 2023,
• for the start of operations in 2024. – September 2024 with August 2024.

Applications can also be submitted by payers who:

• have paid premiums for the said period,
• have a new premium payment date set for September 15, 2025,
• benefit from installment or deferral of arrears covering contributions for the period from August 1 to December 31, 2024.

What contributions are subject to remission?

The waiver applies to contributions to:

• social security,
• health insurance,
• Labor Fund,
• Solidarity Fund,
• Guaranteed Employee Benefits Fund,
• Bridging Pension Fund.

The payer, when submitting the application, can independently indicate for which months in the period from August 1 to December 31, 2024, he wants to obtain remission of contributions, which includes all contributions that apply to both the payer and all insured persons he reports, such as employees. It is worth noting that these premiums will not be covered by the state budget, which means that the remission takes place under the terms of the current legislation, without additional financial support from the state.

Where to apply?

Applications should be submitted to the Social Insurance Institution electronically, on paper or via the Platform for Electronic Services (PUE ZUS). The application template and detailed guidelines are available on the Social Security website.

Effects of redemption on the insured

For payers who pay their own insurance premiums, remission can have significant consequences. According to information made available by the Social Security Administration, contributions for the period of remission will not be treated as paid. This means that this time will not be taken into account when calculating future pension or disability benefits. This could affect the amount of those benefits in the future.

The Social Security Administration recommends that before submitting a claim, you carefully analyze the consequences of premium cancellation and, if necessary, consult with a Social Security advisor who will help you assess the impact of this decision on your future insurance rights.