Changes in Pension Requirements in Ukraine: Shaping the Future of Ukrainian Retirees
Ukraine’s pension system has undergone substantial reforms in recent years, particularly concerning the eligibility criteria related to insurance experience and retirement age.
As a result, every year, more citizens continue working longer or prepare for their well-deserved rest.
Currently, the pension age in Ukraine is set at 60, but from 2025 onwards, new rules regarding insurance experience requirements have been introduced.
To retire at 60, individuals need at least 32 years of insurance experience.
Those falling short of this requirement have the option to retire later — at 63 years with at least 22 years of insurance, or at 65 with no less than 15 years of insurance experience.
Importantly, each subsequent year, the requirements for insurance experience increase by 12 months, making the process of retirement more challenging for many Ukrainians.
After 2025, these conditions will tighten further: in 2026, to retire at 60, one must have 33 years of insurance experience; in 2027 — 34 years; and in 2028 — at least 35 years.
Similar adjustments apply to retirement at 63 years: from 23 to 33 years of experience in 2026, from 24 to 34 years in 2027, and so on.
Notably, the number of pensioners and recipients of state payments increased in the first half of 2025, alongside a rise in pension payments.
However, experts warn that these changes do not yet translate into tangible improvements in pensioners’ quality of life.
Further details are provided in Viktoria Koneva’s article on ZN.UA, which discusses the ongoing challenges and issues facing Ukraine’s pension reforms.