Studying at higher educational institutions will not be counted towards the insurance period for a pension: what to do and who is covered by this

Some Ukrainians who receive a pension will have their years of study at higher educational institutions counted towards their work experience, while others will not. These differences are due to changes in pension legislation that came into effect in 2004.

According to current regulations, only those periods of study that ended before January 1, 2004, can be included in work experience. This is stipulated by Law of Ukraine No. 1788, “On Pension Provision.” However, since the beginning of 2004, a new Law No. 1058, “On Compulsory State Pension Insurance,” has come into effect, which excludes studies from periods that allow for obtaining insurance experience.

Pension expert Serhiy Korobkin explains that years of full-time study at higher educational institutions, technical schools, and vocational schools, as well as postgraduate studies, doctoral studies, and clinical residency, can be included in the experience if they took place before 2004.

To confirm the periods of study, it is necessary to provide diplomas, certificates, or certificates that contain the exact dates of study. If such documents are not available, other documents indicating the duration of the study can be used, provided that the completion of the study period is recorded.

Therefore, to consider the study as experience, it is essential to have correctly executed documents that accurately indicate the time frame, especially if the survey took place before the 2004 changes in legislation.