We clarify the rumours about pension cancellation, mass inspections and procedures for applying for pensions abroad. At the end of April, the Ukrainian government made significant changes to the payment of pensions to Ukrainians in many categories who have moved abroad.
As part of the new changes, documents were to be checked, and those whose information in the documents did not match the original documents risked having their payments cancelled or suspended. In other words, the pension was granted on the basis of unreliable documents.
However, temporary travel and temporary protection are not such grounds. Therefore, Ukrainians who left the country to escape the war have no reason to worry - they will continue to receive their Ukrainian pensions.
However, temporary protection is not the same as permanent residence. And permanent residence abroad may be a reason for termination of pension accrual. Such persons are subject to the provisions of Article 51 of the Law of Ukraine "On Compulsory State Pension Insurance", which regulates the procedure for payment of pensions in case of going abroad. This situation requires a pensioner to have a permanent residence permit abroad. And it is these pensioners who are at risk. Further payment depends on the existence of international agreements between Ukraine and the country of residence.
If you receive your pension on a bank card and have not withdrawn it for more than 6 months in a row, your payments may also be suspended until the circumstances are clarified.
The procedure for extending a pension:
- For those who left for permanent residence: submit an application for payment of a pension in connection with leaving for abroad, attach a passport with a stamp of leaving for permanent residence and a document on deregistration at the place of residence in Ukraine.
- For persons who left Ukraine temporarily due to the aggression of the Russian Federation: in accordance with Resolution of the Pension Fund No. 21-1 of 20.04.2023, submit an application for resumption of payment of pension with a copy of the document on temporary protection or refugee status, the original document confirming the person's survival, issued by the consular office of Ukraine abroad.
The documents must be translated and duly authenticated. The best option is an apostille, which facilitates the legalisation of the submitted documents in accordance with the Hague Apostille Convention. Please contact Ukrainian consular offices abroad for further advice and assistance in preparing documents.