Retirement or Disability Pension: Which Payment to Choose

Ukrainians who are eligible for pension benefits have a choice between retirement pension and disability pension. According to the legislation, it is not possible to receive both types of payments simultaneously, so individuals need to choose the most advantageous option.

According to the Government Portal, the retirement pension is generally more financially beneficial than the disability pension. This is especially true for individuals with the third group of disability, who receive less than retirees. On the other hand, for people with the first group of disability, both types of pensions are equivalent in size.

As explained by the Pension Fund, to receive a retirement pension at the age of 60, one must have at least 32 years of insurance experience. The calculation is made using the formula: the average salary over three years multiplied by the insurance experience, individual coefficient, and 1%.

With an average salary of 15,057.09 UAH and a full work experience of 35 years, the pension will amount to 5,269.09 UAH. In the case of insufficient insurance experience, the minimum pension in 2025 will be 2,361 UAH.

Amount of Disability Pension

The disability pension in Ukraine is established as a percentage of the retirement pension amount: for the first group of disability - 100%, for the second group - 90%, for the third group - 50%.

When calculating the retirement pension, the period from the establishment of disability until reaching 60 years old is also considered. People with disabilities who have not worked are entitled to social assistance of 2,361 UAH.

According to the legislation, the disability pension is assigned to individuals with insurance experience from 1 to 15 years, depending on age and the time of onset of disability.

Retirement pension and disability pension are the two main types of pensions available to Ukrainians with the right to pension provision. Both options have their characteristics and calculations that need to be taken into account when choosing the most advantageous option. In this context, it is important to understand the legislative requirements and rules for calculating pensions in order to make an optimal decision.