Thousands for some, just pennies for others: the new pension increase won’t please everyone

In 2026, a new pension increase is planned in Ukraine, but it will not be felt equally by everyone. This is stated in the material of the specialized publication.

The Verkhovna Rada adopted the State Budget for 2026, which, for the first time since 2023, includes increases in key social benefits. The new budget provides for an increase in the minimum wage and the general subsistence minimum, as well as specific indicators for working and unemployed persons. These indicators directly affect most social payments, including pensions.

Pensioners who have not accumulated enough insurance experience will feel the smallest increase. For them, the minimum pension is determined according to the subsistence minimum for persons who have lost their ability to work. From January 1, 2026, such a pension will increase from 2,361 to 2,595 hryvnias, that is, by 234 hryvnias.

In contrast, the maximum pension payments will increase more noticeably. Since ten subsistence minimums determine their size, the upper limit of the pension will increase from 23,610 to 25,950 hryvnias, which is an increase of more than two thousand hryvnias.

Some categories of pensioners will also receive an increase due to the minimum wage increase. For people over 65 with a full insurance record, the minimum pension must be at least 40% of the new minimum wage. After its increase to 8,647 hryvnias, such a pension will increase to 3,498.40 hryvnias, instead of 3,200 hryvnias.

For miners with at least 15 years of underground experience, the minimum pension will be three subsistence minimums. In 2026, this will mean an increase from 7,083 to 7,785 hryvnias, by approximately 702 hryvnias.

In addition, the new subsistence minimum will also affect the amount of supplements. For example, war veterans are paid a supplement of 10% to 50% of the subsistence minimum for disabled persons in addition to their basic pension, so these amounts will also increase.

Earlier, we discussed what to expect from the indexation of pensions in 2026, as well as how to get a pension increase of 500-1500 hryvnias. The issue of seniority and salary, which must be at the proper level to receive a decent pension, was also raised.