In 2026, new rules for calculating additional payments for pensioners will come into force in Ukraine. According to information received by RBC-Ukraine from the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU), citizens who have special merits for the state can expect a significant monthly increase to their main pension.
Allowance for Special Merits
The amount of the additional payment for special merits ranges from 596.85 to 908.25 hryvnias per month. The exact amount depends on the category of the recipient. The calculation mechanism is tied to the subsistence minimum for persons who have lost their ability to work. The increase can amount to between 23% and 35% of this indicator.
It is important to note that this payment is additional in nature. It is granted in addition to the main pension and is transferred to the pensioner monthly at the same time as the main payment.
Compensation for Excess Service Record
In addition to rewards for merit, the legislation provides for the possibility of receiving an allowance for a long insurance service record that exceeds the norms established by law. For men, this threshold is a service record of more than 35 years, and for women — more than 30 years.
The calculation is made for each year of excess service: 25.95 hryvnias are accrued for each extra year. Thus, with 20 years of excess service record, the amount of the allowance can reach 519 hryvnias per month.
Mechanism of the "Benefactor Pension"
Parallel to state payments, a mechanism known as the "benefactor pension" operates in Ukraine. This initiative allows citizens to transfer funds directly to a specific pensioner through the official portal of the Pension Fund.
A feature of this mechanism is the distribution of funds: the recipient receives 70% of the transfer amount, while the remaining 30% remains at the disposal of the Pension Fund to cover its own needs. At the same time, such transfers are not subject to tax and do not affect the recipient's status regarding subsidies for utility payments.
