Halt on Pension Disbursements for Residents of Occupied Regions
Starting April 1, 2026, pension payments to retirees living in occupied areas or those who have left these regions will be suspended. Nevertheless, these individuals can reactivate their pensions by submitting a declaration confirming they have not received any pension benefits from Russian authorities by the end of 2026. It is the responsibility of each pensioner to personally verify they have not been paid by Russian pension services.
How to Reinstate Pension Benefits
Pensions and insurance payments will only continue if the recipient confirms they do not receive pensions from Russian agencies. Between 2025 and 2026, some pensioners completed physical identification but failed to submit the required notification about not receiving Russian payments. Those pensioners were granted continued payments until April 1, 2026. This process is established by the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers’ Resolution No. 126 dated February 3, 2026.
According to clause 14-4 of the Final Provisions of the Law "On Compulsory State Pension Insurance," pension restoration must comply with legislative procedures. Applications to restore pensions must be filed before the end of 2026 to ensure payments resume retroactively from the suspension date. Pensioners can submit their applications:
- in person;
- online via the Ukrainian Pension Fund’s web portal using the “Diia.Sign”;
- through a video call with a Pension Fund representative.
For pensioners residing abroad, applications may be sent by registered mail along with the necessary documents. Required documents include:
- proof of being alive;
- copies of passport;
- identification code;
- temporary residence permit with translation.
The address for the Main Office of the Pension Fund in Luhansk region is: 157 Vyacheslav Chornovil Street, Cherkasy, 18003.
"The individual must personally confirm that they have not received a pension from Russia," emphasized the Main Office of the Pension Fund in Luhansk.
They also noted, "Pension payments will be reinstated from the suspension date if the restoration application, including confirmation of no Russian pension receipt, is submitted by the end of this year."
This update is crucial for pensioners living in or displaced from occupied territories, as the suspension of pensions could severely impact their financial stability. The restoration process requires active participation from pensioners, which may pose difficulties for those unable to promptly gather documents or submit applications. Awareness of these new requirements and deadlines is vital to avoid losing pension benefits.