Conditions for Awarding a Survivor's Pension
The Pension Fund of Ukraine has published the criteria for granting a pension following the loss of a family breadwinner. This outlines who is eligible, the payment amounts, the application process, and required documentation. Under the new rules, the deceased breadwinner must have had an insurance record equivalent to the requirements for a Group III disability pension at the time of death. However, this seniority requirement is waived if the person has gone missing under special circumstances, such as those related to armed conflict.
Eligibility for the Pension
An application for the pension must be submitted within 12 months of the breadwinner's death. The pension is awarded for the entire period of incapacity for work. Eligible dependents who were supported by the deceased include:
- Spouses and parents, if they are disabled or have reached retirement age;
- Children under 18, or older if disability was established before adulthood;
- Full-time students—up to 23 years old;
- Orphans receiving payments until age 23, regardless of their student status;
- Relatives providing care, if they are unemployed and care for the deceased's children under the age of 8.
The payment amount is set at 50% of the breadwinner's pension if there is one eligible dependent, and 100% if there are two or more (the sum is divided equally). Minimum payment thresholds are tied to the subsistence minimum: for one person—100% of the PM (from UAH 2,361), for two people—120% of the PM, and for three or more—150% of the PM.
To apply, a basic document package is required. This includes: an application, the applicant's passport, identification codes (RNOKPP) for both the applicant and the deceased, a death certificate (or a court decision/extract from the missing persons register), documents confirming family relations, certificates of the deceased's work record, and proof of children's education. For military personnel, an additional document from the military unit stating the cause of death is also needed.
These updated rules for the survivor's pension reflect the state's effort to strengthen social protection for vulnerable groups. The waiver of the insurance record requirement for those missing under special circumstances is a critical support measure for families facing immense hardship. Understanding the application procedure and necessary paperwork is essential, as timely access to these funds can significantly impact a family's financial stability after such a loss.