Seniority Bonus Calculator 2026

The seniority bonus (long-service allowance) is an additional pay component granted to employees for their length of service. In the public sector (administration, education, healthcare) it is mandatory and regulated by law. In the private sector its award depends on the pay regulations or a collective agreement.

In most public-sector units the seniority bonus is 5% of base salary after 5 years of work and rises by 1 percentage point for each further year, up to a maximum of 20% after 20 years. At a base salary of PLN 5,000 and 8 years of service the bonus is 8% × 5,000 = PLN 400.

The seniority bonus is generally due after 5 years of work. In the first 4 years no bonus is accrued. From the 5th year it is 5% and grows by 1% a year. The maximum of 20% is reached after 20 years and does not rise further, despite longer service.

The maximum seniority bonus in the public sector is 20% of base salary. It is reached after 20 years of work. Beyond that service the bonus stays at 20% — there is no mechanism for further growth. At a salary of PLN 6,000 the maximum bonus is PLN 1,200 a month.

The service qualifying for the bonus usually includes all completed employment periods (based on work certificates), regardless of employer, plus periods counted under separate rules (e.g. parental leave, military service). The detailed rules depend on the specific service rules of the given occupational group.

Yes. The seniority bonus is a pay component, so it is subject to ZUS contributions (pension, disability, sickness, health) and the PIT income-tax advance on the same terms as base salary. The amount shown in the calculator is the gross value of the bonus.

Yes, a permanent seniority bonus counts towards the base for sick pay and sickness benefit, because it is paid for the period of illness. However, if the bonus is paid regardless of absence (in full also during illness), it does not additionally increase the benefit base.

In the private sector the seniority bonus is not mandatory by law. It may, however, be introduced by the employer in the pay regulations, the employment contract or a collective agreement. If such a bonus is provided, the employer must pay it under the terms set out in those documents.

Yes, but it is proportional to the working-time fraction. An employee on a half-time contract with a base salary equal to half the full rate will receive a seniority bonus calculated on that reduced base. The bonus percentage depends on service and is the same as for full-time, but the amount is lower.

The calculator uses the most common public-sector model: 5% after 5 years, +1% yearly, max 20%. Some occupational groups (e.g. teachers, civil service, some local governments) have separate, sometimes more favourable rules. Before making financial decisions, check the pay regulations or service rules in force at your employer.