Many people face a situation where they have to interrupt their studies after several years of attending university. A natural question arises: is this period taken into account when calculating a future pension? Specialists from the Pension Fund of Ukraine in the Ternopil region have provided clear clarifications on this matter.
Rules for counting work experience before 2004
According to information provided by RBC-Ukraine, all periods of work and other time intervals that were previously counted as work experience for pension assignment continue to apply — but only if they relate to the period before January 1, 2004. It was then that the new law on pension insurance came into force, however, the old rules were preserved for events that occurred before this date.
An important exception is preparatory departments of higher educational institutions. This period is not included in the insurance work experience under any circumstances.
How to confirm the period of study?
The simplest and most reliable way to confirm is an entry in the work book. However, it has legal force only if it specifies the details of the order of admission and dismissal, as well as the number and date of the education document.
If there is no work book or the entries in it are insufficient, other documents can be used. For example, an academic course is a completed period of study during one academic year, including not only semesters but also the time of final control and holidays. The beginning and end of each course are formalized by separate orders of the educational institution.
Even if the student did not receive a diploma and left the studies after the completion of the course or its stage, this period can still be taken into account in the work experience — provided that this is confirmed by the relevant documents.
Upcoming changes in the pension system
The Government of Ukraine is preparing a major review of the entire pension system. The concept of a three-level pension reform implies a combination of solidarity payments, professional pensions, and a pension savings system. The size of the future pension will directly depend on the paid contributions.
The retirement age will remain unchanged, however, the requirements for insurance work experience will gradually increase — to 35 years by 2028.
New rules for displaced persons
Previously, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law changing the approach to the social protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Now the state no longer has the right to establish separate rules for them regarding the appointment and payment of pensions. All social payments will be made on general grounds without additional checks or special requirements.
