Who in Ukraine is at risk of being left without a pension and how can this be prevented?

The analytical material was prepared by the TSN editorial office, which analysed the current provisions of pension legislation, the growth rate of insurance period requirements, and the consequences of long-term shadow employment, labour migration, and war for future pensioners in Ukraine.

Why not everyone will receive a pension at 60

Pension reform continues in Ukraine, with a key element being the gradual increase in insurance period requirements. The insurance period is the period for which a single social contribution (SSC) was paid for a person to the Pension Fund of Ukraine. This refers exclusively to official employment or independent payment of contributions.

From 2026, in order to retire at 60, it will be necessary to have at least 33 years of insurance experience. In 2027, the requirement will increase to 34 years, and in 2028 to 35 years. This figure will not change in the future. Those who do not have the required length of service will be able to apply for a pension later — at 63 or 65 — or claim only social assistance.

Risk group No. 1 — "Generation X"

People born between 1965 and 1980, the so-called "Generation X," are most at risk. They started their working lives in the 1990s, a period of widespread shadow economy, informal employment, and work abroad without paying contributions.

According to experts, today, one in seven Ukrainians who reach the age of 60 cannot apply for a pension due to insufficient work experience. For those who will retire in 2028, the risk increases to one in two.

Why is this generation losing work experience?

The first reason is the shadow economy of the 1990s. Many people worked without official registration, in markets or abroad, without paying social security contributions.

The second reason is the 2004 pension reform. Before that, work experience was counted based on entries in the employment record book, and after that, only based on the fact of payment of contributions. Due to unscrupulous employers, some people lost 10-15 years of work experience.

The third reason is the war. Since 2014, and especially after 2022, millions of Ukrainians have lost their jobs, found themselves under occupation or were forced to leave the country, which interrupted the accumulation of work experience.

What to do if you don't have enough work experience

If you do not have the required work experience at the age of 60, there are several options:

1. Continue working officially. You can apply
for a pension:

• at 63 years of age — if you have at least 23 years of work experience (in 2027–2028 — 24–25 years);

• at the age of 65 — if you have at least 15 years of service.

2. Purchase additional insurance experience.
You can voluntarily pay the Unified Social Tax (UST) for previous periods. In 2026:

• the current month of service costs 1,902 UAH;

• work experience for previous years is twice as expensive.

For example, purchasing one year of experience will cost UAH 45,648, but this is often more profitable than waiting for a pension until the age of 65 and losing two years of payments.

3. Apply for social assistance.
If you have less than 15 years of service at the age of 65, you will not be eligible for a pension. Instead, you can receive state social assistance, the amount of which depends on your family's income. In 2026, the base amount will be 4,500 UAH, but for people with minimal service, it may be significantly lower.

Risk group No. 2 — labour migrants

Millions of Ukrainians have worked abroad for years. After 2022, temporary migration became permanent. As of early 2026, 1.8–2 million Ukrainians are officially working and paying contributions in European Union countries.

Official work abroad does not mean the loss of pension rights — it all depends on the type of international agreement between Ukraine and a particular country. Unofficial work, as in Ukraine, does not count towards insurance experience.

How pensions work abroad

Proportional principle ("pension for two pockets").
Ukraine and the country of residence each pay for their own insurance period separately. This system is in place, in particular, with Poland, the Czech Republic, the Baltic states, Spain and Portugal.

Territorial principle.
The pension is paid by the country in which the person permanently resides, taking into account the total length of service. This applies, for example, to Romania and Hungary.

If there is no full agreement (USA, Canada, Germany, Italy), foreign work experience is only taken into account to determine the right to retire, but does not affect the size of the pension.

Voluntary contributions: how to insure yourself

Ukrainians working abroad can voluntarily pay social security contributions in Ukraine through the Diya app or the Pension Fund's web portal. The minimum contribution in 2026 is UAH 1,902 per month. This allows you to maintain your length of service and increase the amount of your future pension.

Pension reform, insurance experience, pension in Ukraine, social security contributions