People who have not accumulated at least 15 years of insurance experience do not receive an old-age pension. After the age of 65, they can apply for state social assistance, but its basic amount in 2026 is 778.5 UAH, not 2595 UAH. This is reported by UNIAN.
Social assistance without experience in 2026: how much is paid
In practice, this payment is often referred to as "social pension," but legally it is state social assistance. It is not assigned automatically to everyone who has never officially worked.
For a person who has reached the age of 65, does not have the right to a pension and is not disabled, the assistance amounts to 30% of the minimum subsistence level for persons who have lost their ability to work. In 2026, this figure is 2595 UAH, therefore the basic payment is 778.5 UAH per month.
The amount of 2595 UAH is the minimum subsistence level for non-working individuals and the minimum old-age pension. It does not mean that every Ukrainian without experience will automatically be assigned the same amount. This is where the confusion often arises.
Who can apply for payment without insurance experience
The right to assistance is granted to individuals who meet three conditions simultaneously: have reached the age of 65, are not receiving a pension, and are low-income. The Social Insurance Fund checks the average monthly income for the six months before the application.
There are separate amounts for disabled individuals: 100% of the minimum subsistence level for Group I, 80% for Group II, and 60% for Group III. These are 2595 UAH, 2076 UAH, and 1557 UAH in 2026, respectively. For Group I disabled individuals, the requirement for low income is not applied.
Applications can be submitted to the Pension Fund service center, through the CNAP, by mail, or online on the Pension Fund's website. Usually, a passport, tax identification number, and income declaration (if required for verification) are attached to it.
Before applying, it is advisable to check the insurance experience in the personal account of the Pension Fund. Sometimes periods of service, care for a disabled person, care for a child, as well as education at a university before 2004 can be counted. If a total of 15 years of experience is accumulated, at the age of 65, a person may already be eligible for old-age pension.