Additional Insurance Service Period: Who Can Obtain It and How to Do So – A Comprehensive Guide for Ukrainian Pensioners and Workers
In Ukraine, the topic of building a pension record is becoming increasingly important, especially for citizens approaching retirement age or those seeking to secure their future financial stability. One of the crucial mechanisms to increase your pension experience is the possibility of voluntarily purchasing additional insurance periods, which offers several benefits and can significantly impact the size of future pension payments. Ukrainians who have reached the age of 60 and possess the required insurance record have the right to claim a retirement pension based on age. According to current regulations, by 2025, individuals need to accumulate at least 32 years of insurance service. Achieving this can be challenging for many due to low official income levels or employment gaps. Legal experts from the “Legal Advisor for IDPs” emphasize that the opportunity to increase insurance periods is not limited solely to traditional employment. Citizens aged 16 and older, regardless of their place of employment or status, can make voluntary contributions. This is especially relevant for those working abroad but planning to receive their pension in Ukraine; for individuals close to retirement age but lacking sufficient insurance periods; and for farmers and domestic workers who have not previously been mandatorily insured. The option to purchase additional insurance periods covers the period from 2004 onward. This means that any time when a person was not officially employed or registered as an individual entrepreneur can now be compensated through voluntary contributions. It’s important to note that periods when the individual was insured but did not pay the single social contribution (EIS) due to benefits (such as maternity leave or study) cannot be purchased retroactively. The process of concluding a voluntary insurance contract is straightforward. There are two main methods: visiting the tax office or Pension Fund in person, and registering online via the official PFRU portal. To sign up online, one must log into their personal account with an electronic signature, select “Communication with PFRU,” then choose “Voluntary Participation Agreement,” fill in the required details, and specify who will be the payer. Payment must be made immediately after signing the agreement, primarily through the Portmone service or other convenient methods. The minimum monthly contribution is 22% of the minimum wage (for 2025 — 8,000 UAH), which is approximately 1,760 UAH. If an individual wishes to pay several months or even years at once, the total will increase accordingly, with one month equaling roughly 3,520 UAH. Payments must be completed within 10 days of signing, and contributions are credited for the month when the funds are received by the Pension Fund. This can be verified within the personal account on the PFRU portal. Ultimately, voluntary purchase of insurance periods is an effective way to secure one's future and increase the pension size, especially for those who, due to circumstances, could not accumulate sufficient insurance experience earlier.