New Law on Confirming Insurance Record
A recently passed law by the Verkhovna Rada, now awaiting the president's signature, is set to transform how Ukrainians verify their insurance history. Designed to address challenges like wartime disruptions, lost documents, and a push toward digital services, the legislation will take effect three months after its official publication. Its core aim is to simplify the process for citizens to confirm their insurance record.
Key Changes in the Legislation
Under the new rules, the Pension Fund of Ukraine will have the authority to independently retrieve data from state registries, tax records, and corporate databases. This shift is expected to reduce the paperwork citizens must submit and streamline access to employment history information. The Fund will also be required to inform individuals exactly what is missing for a pension calculation or adjustment and explain how to provide or restore the necessary data.
Notably, work experience can now be credited even if the employer did not pay the unified social tax (USV), as long as they filed reports and accrued contributions at a minimum level. Proof of service can be established through the register of insured persons, as well as via certificates and extracts from companies and archives. Additionally, experience can be verified using:
- bank records showing salary payments;
- testimony from two colleagues who worked alongside the individual;
- a court decision.
“This is a shift from control to service”
Oksana Kucherova
The overarching goal of the new legislation is to cut down on paper documents and increase reliance on digital registries, making life easier for many Ukrainians. This law marks a significant step in modernizing Ukraine's pension system, especially amid the instability caused by the war. By introducing digital services and reducing red tape, it could greatly help citizens trying to prove their work history, while also boosting trust in public institutions through greater transparency and efficiency within the Pension Fund.
As the Pension Fund adapts to new regulations, it’s crucial for citizens to understand the implications of digital work records on their pension eligibility. While the recent law aims to simplify insurance history verification, challenges may still arise. For instance, if your digital employment records are questioned, it’s important to know how to respond effectively. To learn more about what to do if the Pension Fund denies your claim, see our article on navigating pension denials.