Pension changes in 2026: PFU explained what this means for different categories of citizens

The right to a pension in Ukraine by age is acquired mainly by citizens who have reached the established age and have the necessary insurance experience.

The Main Department of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in the Donetsk region reported changes to the rules for assigning pensions that will be introduced in 2026.

The right to a pension is determined by a person’s age and the duration of their insurance experience. The Law of Ukraine “On Compulsory State Pension Insurance” No. 1058-IV establishes the possibility of retirement at the ages of 60, 63, or 65.

According to the provisions of Article 26 of this law, the requirements for insurance experience in 2026 are as follows: to retire at 60 years of age, it is necessary to have at least 33 years of experience, for 63 years of age, at least 23 years, and for 65 years of age, at least 15 years.

Also in 2026, it is planned to update the minimum pension determined by the State Budget, which will be UAH 2,595 for persons unable to work. This indicator will also become the basis for calculating minimum pension payments.

In addition, in March 2026, pension indexation is planned to be calculated based on the inflation rate and the average 2025 salary. This will allow for increased pension payments and partially offset inflationary costs.

It was previously reported that the cost of acquiring insurance experience will increase from January 2026, and news also surfaced about possible issues confirming work experience, which may affect the receipt of pension payments.