State assistance for Ukrainians without work experience

In Ukraine, not all people can receive a full pension in adulthood. Many citizens lack the necessary insurance experience or formal work experience. However, this does not leave them without support from the state, because there is social assistance for such cases.

The government emphasizes that, starting in 2025, precise requirements will be introduced for the insurance experience needed for retirement. To become a pensioner at 60, you must have at least 32 years of insurance experience. To retire at 63, you need 22 years of experience, and at 65, 15 years. If the experience is less than 15 years, a pension is not provided, but it is possible to apply for social assistance.

Even those who have never worked can count on social assistance. To do this, you should contact the social protection authorities or the Center for Administrative Services at your place of residence. To be assigned aid, you must provide an application, passport, identification code, as well as a declaration of income and property for the last six months. If a person has at least some work experience, a certificate from the Pension Fund will be required. In the event of incapacity, a copy of the decision appointing a guardian must be attached.

The amount of social assistance is 30% of the subsistence minimum for people who have lost their ability to work. As of July 2025, the lowest level of the subsistence minimum is 2,361 hryvnia; therefore, the assistance may be about 708 hryvnia per month. However, this amount may decrease depending on the individual’s financial situation.

Social assistance is not a substitute for a pension. Still, for many Ukrainians who have not had the opportunity to work and accumulate the necessary experience, it remains the only source of support in old age. It is essential to recognize that the state has mechanisms in place to assist during life’s most challenging moments.

We remind you that situations may arise when Ukrainians risk losing three pensions. It is essential to be aware of the most common mistakes to avoid trouble with the Pension Fund. We will soon revisit the issue of pensions for people with disabilities, in particular regarding the rights of military and civilians. There will also be important information for pensioners about the restoration of their benefits.