New pension age requirements will be introduced from 2026

In Ukraine, starting January 1, 2026, the requirements for insured service for retirement by age will change. The right to a pension will still depend not only on the age reached but also on the number of years worked. Relevant explanations were provided by the Pension Fund of Ukraine. This is reported by Kadroland.

The fund reminds that the necessary insured service is determined on the date when a person reaches retirement age. This indicator affects whether one can retire at 60, 63, or 65 years old.

New pension age requirements for 2026

According to article 26 of the law of Ukraine on 'Mandatory State Pension Insurance', from 2026, the following insurance norms will apply:

• at 60 years old - at least 33 years of service;

• at 63 years old - at least 23 years of service;

• at 65 years old - at least 15 years of service.

These indicators will be applied to individuals who reach the corresponding age in 2026.

What changes for those reaching retirement age in 2025

The Pension Fund separately emphasizes the transitional moment. If a person reaches retirement age in 2025 but applies for a pension in 2026, the previous requirements will apply:

• at 60 years old - 32 years;

• at 63 years old - 22 years;

• at 65 years old - 15 years.

Thus, the key factor is not the year of application submission but the year of reaching retirement age. This determines the amount of insured service necessary for pension assignment.

It should be noted that from January 2026, some Ukrainian pensioners will receive automatic pension increases due to the rise in the minimum living wage.