Doomed to poverty in old age: which Ukrainians will be left without a pension
In Ukraine, from 2025, some citizens may face difficulties in receiving a pension due to new requirements for insurance experience, according to the Pension Fund of Ukraine.
The changes stipulate that, for men and women to be eligible to retire at 60, they will need at least 32 years of insurance experience.
If a person does not have sufficient experience at the time of reaching retirement age, they can receive a pension at:
63 years – from 22 to 31 years of insurance experience;
65 years – from 15 to 21 years of insurance experience.
Citizens with less than 15 years of experience will not receive a pension and will be able to count only on state social assistance by age, which is significantly lower than a pension.
Amount of social assistance
In July 2025, the amount of social pension will be determined as the difference between the subsistence minimum for persons who have lost their ability to work (2361 UAH) and the average family income per person for the last six months. The maximum amount of social assistance will not exceed 3028 UAH, which corresponds to the subsistence minimum for non-disabled persons.
Recalculation of this assistance will be carried out every six months, taking into account the family’s financial situation and the income of its members.
Procedure for obtaining assistance
To receive temporary assistance instead of a pension, you must contact the social security authorities at your place of residence or registration, taking with you:
application;
passport and identification code;
certificate from the Pension Fund on the insurance experience;
declaration of income and property for the last six months;
a copy of the decision on the appointment of a guardian (if necessary).
It is worth noting that the requirements for the required insurance experience will continue to increase. In 2028, a requirement for 35 years of experience to retire at 60 is likely to emerge.
In Ukraine, from 2025, some citizens may face difficulties in receiving a pension due to new requirements for insurance experience, according to the Pension Fund of Ukraine.
The changes stipulate that, for men and women to be eligible to retire at 60, they will need at least 32 years of insurance experience.
If a person does not have sufficient experience at the time of reaching retirement age, they can receive a pension at:
63 years – from 22 to 31 years of insurance experience;
65 years – from 15 to 21 years of insurance experience.
Citizens with less than 15 years of experience will not receive a pension and will be able to count only on state social assistance by age, which is significantly lower than a pension.
Amount of social assistance
In July 2025, the amount of social pension will be determined as the difference between the subsistence minimum for persons who have lost their ability to work (2361 UAH) and the average family income per person for the last six months. The maximum amount of social assistance will not exceed 3028 UAH, which corresponds to the subsistence minimum for non-disabled persons.
Recalculation of this assistance will be carried out every six months, taking into account the family’s financial situation and the income of its members.
Procedure for obtaining assistance
To receive temporary assistance instead of a pension, you must contact the social security authorities at your place of residence or registration, taking with you:
application;
passport and identification code;
certificate from the Pension Fund on the insurance experience;
declaration of income and property for the last six months;
a copy of the decision on the appointment of a guardian (if necessary).
It is worth noting that the requirements for the required insurance experience will continue to increase. In 2028, to retire at age 60, there will be a requirement to have 35 years of experience.
