Three years of a ‘penalty’ for missing work record: a new increase in requirements is again pushing back retirement for thousands of Ukrainians

Starting in 2026, Ukraine has raised the minimum insurance record required to retire at age 60. Now, to be granted a pension at that age, a person must have at least 33 years of officially recorded contributions/service.

The changes are being described as a planned adjustment of pension rules, but in practice they may mean postponing retirement by three years for those who are missing even a few months of qualifying service. In such cases, the right to retire at 60 does not arise, and a person will be able to apply for benefits only after turning 63.

Experts note that one of the key problems remains the constant changing of the rules. Many citizens plan for decades based on certain conditions, but right before retirement they encounter new requirements. At the same time, the legislation changes faster than people can “make up” the missing service time.

As a result, even small breaks in a work history—unregistered employment, periods without contributions, or missing/uncertified records—can lead to a significant delay. A shortfall of just one year of service can shift the retirement age from 60 to 63.

Earlier, it was reported that a significant number of Ukrainian pensioners have faced problems receiving payments.