Thousands of Ukrainians have worked in Poland over many years, and for many of them one question is now highly relevant: will this work experience be counted when it is time to apply for a pension in Ukraine? According to the Pension Fund of Ukraine, as cited by RBC-Ukraine, the answer is yes — provided a number of conditions are met, the Polish work record is indeed taken into account when determining the right to a payment.

How the social security agreement works

The pension question for people who worked in Poland is governed by a social security agreement between the two countries. The document was signed on 18 May 2012 and entered into force on 1 January 2014. It provides for a standard rule: when determining the right to a pension, the work record acquired in both countries is taken into account. At the same time, each state pays a pension only for the work record the person acquired on its own territory.

The PL-UA 6 form and the role of ZUS

If the work record acquired in Ukraine is insufficient to give rise to the right to a pension, the Polish work record may also be taken into account. To do so, a special document is required — the PL-UA 6 form. It is issued by the Polish social insurance institution (ZUS). It is precisely this form that confirms how long a person officially worked in Poland. It is important to understand: the Polish work record helps obtain only the right to a pension, and only if the Ukrainian work record is insufficient for this purpose.

Practical steps for processing

To have the years worked in Poland counted, you should contact the territorial office of the Pension Fund at your place of residence. There, on the basis of the provided PL-UA 6 form and other documents, the work record will be taken into account when calculating the right to a payment. The key document is prepared by the Polish side and transmitted to the Ukrainian pension authority, which eliminates the need to independently prove the period of work abroad.

Context: the minimum pension reform

Recall that Daniil Hetmanets, head of the Verkhovna Rada's finance committee, stated that the minimum pension in Ukraine is planned to be raised to six to seven thousand hryvnias through a change in the accrual formula and the introduction of an accumulative level. In his words, this is the number one task for the government and a direct demand from the president. These plans directly affect how the payment will ultimately be calculated for those who combine their Ukrainian and Polish work records.

Limitations and risks of payments abroad

Meanwhile, a lawyer reminded of the conditions under which the Pension Fund may refuse to pay a pension abroad or even terminate an already established payment. In her words, merely having an insurance work record in Ukraine does not guarantee automatic receipt of a pension abroad — everything depends on the terms of the specific international agreement with the country of residence. Therefore, Ukrainians planning to receive a pension outside the country should clarify the details in advance at the territorial office of the fund.