Income indexation is a mechanism for partial compensation for price increases. For an employee, it affects the salary amount, while for a pensioner – the size of the pension payment. ...
20Oct
Pension Reform in Ukraine: New Retirement Conditions for 2026-2028
In 2026, Ukrainians can retire at the age of 60 with at least 33 years of insurance experience, at 63 years – with 23 years, and at 65 years – with 15 years. The pension reform provides for a gradual increase in insurance experience requirements until 2028, while the new pension calculation model being developed by the government had not come into force as of November 2026.
How Many Years of Insurance Experience Are Required to Retire in 2026-2028?
In Ukraine, the retirement age depends on two main indicators: a person’s age and the number of years of insurance experience. General rules are established by Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine “On Compulsory State Pension Insurance”.
The requirements for minimum insurance experience for retiring at 60 and 63 years increase by one year annually.
| Year of Reaching Retirement Age | At 60 Years | At 63 Years | At 65 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 years | 22 years | 15 years |
| 2026 | 33 years | 23 years | 15 years |
| 2027 | 34 years | 24 years | 15 years |
| 2028 | 35 years | 25 years | 15 years |
Minimum insurance experience requirements under general rules. Data corresponds to the current schedule established by the law of July 9, 2003, No. 1058-IV+1.
The table shows minimum values. For example, in 2026, a person with 27 years of experience can apply for retirement at 63 if they have reached this age. There is no need to wait until 65.
An important detail: the required insurance experience is determined based on the legislative requirements at the date of reaching the corresponding retirement age. If a person turned 60 in 2025 but applied for pension in 2026, the requirement for them is 32 years, not 33. Pension Fund of Ukraine
Will the Retirement Age Increase to 63 or 65 for All Ukrainians?
The law does not provide for a general increase in the retirement age to 63 or 65. Basic retirement conditions are the same for both women and men.
At the same time, insufficient insurance experience effectively forces some citizens to retire later.
For example, if in 2026 a person turns 60 but only has 25 years of insurance experience, they cannot receive a regular retirement pension at 60. If the required conditions remain, the right to a pension will arise at 63.
Is It Possible to Retire Before 60?
Yes. Legislation provides for early pension benefits for certain categories of citizens.
Depending on specific legal grounds, these include:
- workers in harmful and especially difficult working conditions as per lists No. 1 and No. 2;
- certain categories of military personnel;
- participants in liquidation of the Chernobyl NPP accident consequences;
- persons entitled to early pensions on special social grounds.
Each category has separate requirements for age, general, and special experience. Simply working in a certain profession is not enough to automatically qualify for a privileged pension.
Who Can Retire Regardless of Age Starting 2028?
Starting January 1, 2028, the law provides the right to retire at any age if the person has 40 or more calendar years of insurance experience.
This is a separate legal basis and does not mean that all citizens with 35 years of experience will get early pension rights.
What Pension Reform Changes Are Planned for 2027?
The government is working on updating the pension system. Proposed directions include a new pension calculation model, revising special pensions, and developing voluntary pension savings.
The discussed model provides for:
- a basic social component of pension provision;
- an insurance part, the amount of which depends on contributions;
- separate professional pension mechanisms;
- voluntary savings with the possibility of automatic employee enrollment.
These proposals should not be confused with the existing schedule for increasing insurance experience. As of November 10, 2026, the new comprehensive model has not come into force, and its launch date is not guaranteed.
Minister of Social Policy Denys Ulyutin, commenting on the future funded system, stated:
“A similar concept operates in Poland. In general, the experience of European colleagues shows that a mandatory funded system is not effective.”
The Ministry of Social Policy message refers specifically to the planned model, not to the already introduced mandatory contributions to a funded system.
What to Do If You Lack Insurance Experience to Retire?
Lack of the required years of experience does not always mean losing the right to a pension. A person can continue to work officially, voluntarily pay contributions, or confirm previously unaccounted work periods.
Can You Purchase Insurance Experience in 2026?
Yes. The legislation allows voluntary payment of pension contributions for current periods and, under certain conditions, one-time payments for past periods.
In 2026:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | 8,647 UAH |
| Unified Social Contribution Rate | 22% |
| Minimum Contribution for a Full Current Month of Experience | 1,902.34 UAH |
| Minimum Contribution for Past Month under Special One-Time Payment Agreement | 3,804.68 UAH |
These amounts are based on 2026 indicators. Additional legislative restrictions apply for one-time payments for past periods. Pension Fund of Ukraine+1
If a person voluntarily pays 1,902.34 UAH for the current month, this month can fully count towards insurance experience. However, paying more does not turn one calendar month into two or three months of experience.
Will Work Without Official Registration Count Towards Pension?
Usually, no. Since January 1, 2004, insurance experience depends on personalized accounting data and payment of insurance contributions.
It is important to distinguish:
- employment experience before 2004, which can be confirmed by employment book and other documents;
- insurance experience after 2004, determined by data from the state register;
- periods of entrepreneurial activity, for which the payment of social contributions matters;
- special periods which the law allows to include towards experience under separate rules.
If the employer did not provide necessary data or made a mistake, it is necessary to check reports and gather documents to confirm experience.
How to Check Insurance Experience Online Before Retirement?
The Pension Fund of Ukraine maintains electronic accounting of insurance experience. Through a personal cabinet, a person can view information about work, salary, and insurance contributions.
To check, you need to perform several steps.
- Open the web portal of electronic services of the Pension Fund of Ukraine.
- Log into your personal cabinet using an electronic digital signature or other available electronic identification methods.
- Review the section with insurance experience and employment information.
- Generate the OK-5 certificate to verify experience and income.
- Compare the information with your employment book and other documents.
If the system does not show work periods before 2004, it is worth checking whether the relevant documents have been digitized.
How to Apply for a Pension under New Rules in 2026?
You can submit an application in person at the Pension Fund service center or remotely. You may apply no earlier than one month before reaching retirement age.
Usually, the following are required for application:
- passport or other identity document;
- taxpayer registration number (TIN);
- documents confirming employment and insurance experience;
- documents confirming name change, if necessary;
- additional certificates about earnings or special experience periods, if required.
The timing of application submission affects the pension payment start date. If applying within three months after reaching retirement age, pension under general rules is assigned from the day after the birthday. Later applications result in pension starting from the application date. Pension Fund of Ukraine
What to Do if the Pension Fund Denies Pension Allocation?
First, obtain a decision with reasons for the denial. The most common problems stem from insufficient experience, lack of archival documents, or discrepancies in personal data.
If there are questions about the proper application of pension legislation, you can get a consultation from a lawyer.
When the Pension Fund does not credit confirmed experience or incorrectly determines pension rights, the decision can be appealed administratively or in court. Services of a pension lawyer are available for document preparation and protection of interests.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pension Reform by Ukrainians
No, in 2026 for a regular old-age pension. It requires at least 33 years of experience. However, certain categories of citizens may have special grounds for pension assignment.
Yes. Under the current schedule, 35 years of insurance experience is sufficient for retirement after reaching 60 in 2028.
A regular old-age pension without the required experience will not be assigned. The person may be eligible for state social assistance under established rules. The right to aid and amount depend on conditions set by law, including income.
Yes. A regular old-age pension does not prohibit official employment. Further work may provide grounds for pension recalculation according to the law.
According to current general rules, the age limits 60, 63, and 65 remain. In 2027, insurance experience requirements for retiring at 60 and 63 will increase. Further changes depend on the adoption of new laws.
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