Pensions in Ukraine may be paid out in a new way: the government is preparing a pension reform

The Cabinet of Ministers plans to completely overhaul the rules for calculating pension payments in the near future. The old model will be replaced by a three-tier system and a voluntary savings plan with automatic enrollment. How will years of service be calculated, and when will the law be passed? Find out all the details of the upcoming pension reform

Read more interesting and useful information in our Telegram channel

FOLLOW

The Ukrainian pension system is set to undergo radical changes. The government is moving away from an outdated model—which often fails to meet citizens’ basic needs—and is preparing to transition to a three-tier system of payments with voluntary savings. The main goal of the reform is to make calculations more transparent and fair and to protect the elderly from poverty. This was stated by Minister of Social Policy Denys Ulyutin in an interview with Forbes.

How pensions will be calculated in Ukraine under the new rules

Instead of the current complex and often confusing model, the Ministry of Social Policy proposes introducing three clear tiers of payments. The core element will be a guaranteed payment upon reaching a certain age. It is intended to serve as a financial safety net and reduce poverty among citizens whose incomes were low throughout their lives.

The second tier is a transparent insurance component. Now, the pension amount will depend directly and exclusively on your personal work history and the amount of contributions actually paid. The government plans to decouple this amount from the year of retirement and fluctuating average wage indicators, which will make the system fairer for every worker.

The third element will concern the transformation of so-called special pensions. Payments for early retirement and various benefits will be transferred to occupational pension schemes. This means they will be funded from a separate source rather than drawing resources from the general solidarity-based system.

Accumulative Pensions in Ukraine: How They Work and Can You Opt Out

In addition to the three main tiers, the government plans to launch an accumulative system. Drawing on the experience of European countries and, in particular, the practice in Poland, Ukraine has decided to abandon the idea of mandatory contributions—such an approach was deemed ineffective.

Instead, a voluntary participation format with automatic enrollment will be implemented. Initially, all working citizens will be automatically enrolled in the funded system, but everyone will retain the right to opt out of paying additional contributions. If a person chooses to opt out, they must be aware of all the risks: in old age, they will be able to count solely on basic payments from the universal solidarity system. The frequency and details of such automatic enrollment are still under further consideration.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Where will the money for pensions come from?

The most common question with any major changes is financial stability. The government assures that the implementation of the new model can realistically be financed within the framework of existing state resources. Moreover, officials emphasize that the current pension model is extremely unstable. Due to existing gaps in the legislation, the risk of court rulings leading to unforeseen multi-billion-dollar payouts is constantly growing.

The estimated cost of launching the reform next year is about 150 billion hryvnias, while the cost of maintaining the old system is already estimated at 120–140 billion.

According to the agency’s calculations, the Pension Fund’s budget is capable of covering all elements of the new system for 2026 and 2027. To ensure the stability of payments in the future, long-term financial forecasts for the next 15 years are currently being prepared.

When will the pension reform law be adopted?

The new rules could take effect quite soon. The draft law is already in the final stages of preparation. As soon as all financial calculations are completed, the document will be submitted for broad public discussion to take into account the opinions of experts and citizens. Under an optimistic scenario, the document could be adopted by parliament as early as this year.

Reminder! Social assistance in Ukraine may undergo significant changes: some of the current benefits are planned to be abolished and replaced with basic assistance. Find out what Bill No. 15094 entails, who will be affected by the reform, and how the new support system will work.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.