Changes in the calculation of seniority for pension: what awaits Ukrainians

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has amended the rules for calculating pensionable service, allowing periods of official work abroad to be taken into account, even if Ukraine does not have an international agreement with the country in question.

According to the new rules, work experience gained outside Ukraine will be taken into account when assigning a pension, provided relevant documents are submitted from the country where the work was carried out. These may be various certificates, extracts, and other supporting documents.

Suppose the applicant does not have such documents. In that case, the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) will contact the relevant authorities of the foreign state through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm information about work periods.

Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych emphasized that these changes are aimed at improving the pension system and ensuring a decent standard of living for pensioners.

“We are adapting the legislation to new challenges and needs of society, regulating the issue of experience gained abroad, to create a fairer pension system,” she noted.

It is worth noting that previously, employment abroad was recognized as seniority only in cases of international agreements between Ukraine and other states.

This step opens up new opportunities for Ukrainians who have worked outside their country and is designed to improve the living standards of pensioners in Ukraine.