For many students receiving a pension due to the loss of a breadwinner, official employment seems like a risky step. A common belief holds that as soon as a person starts working, the payment stops immediately. However, the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) has officially refuted this fear and clarified the current legislative norms.

As reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the department's clarifications, the mere fact of employment in no way affects the right to receive a pension due to the loss of a breadwinner. The main condition for retaining the payment is the recipient's age and the form of study.

Key conditions for receiving the payment

According to Article 36 of the Law "On Mandatory State Pension Insurance," the right to such a pension is preserved provided certain criteria are met. The Pension Fund emphasized that a student can work officially without worry, and the payment will continue if two conditions are met:

  • The student has not reached the age of 23.
  • The student is studying on a full-time basis.

Thus, the existence of an employment contract or official income is not grounds for canceling the pension. The payment ceases only after the completion of studies or upon reaching the maximum age.

Payment terms for different categories

The PFU also reminded about the differences in pension terms for different categories of students:

  • Regular students: payment is provided until the end of studies, but no longer than until the age of 23.
  • Orphans: receive a pension until the age of 23 in any case, regardless of the completion of studies.

These clarifications are intended to alleviate anxiety among students and give them the opportunity to combine studies with work without the risk of losing state social support.

Important nuances for relatives of the deceased

Previously, in the context of pension payments, lawyer Anna Daniel drew attention to another issue. The lawyer explained that the Pension Fund may refuse relatives the payment of the deceased's uncollected pension if they were not registered together with him. In such cases, the right to payment can be proven through the court by providing evidence of cohabitation, and the department's refusal can be appealed within the time limits established by law.

Separately, it is worth noting changes in the pension system regarding the registration of an old-age pension. In 2026, for those who are short one year of insurance experience, there will be an opportunity to purchase this experience. The cost of such a service will be 45,656 hryvnias. According to experts' calculations, these expenses pay off in about nine months after the start of receiving the pension.