Pensions in Ukraine will increase in 2026: how much and who will benefit from the increase

Pensions in Ukraine will increase in 2026: how much and who will benefit from the increase

In 2026, Ukrainian pensioners are expecting an increase in pension payments, which is a fulfillment of the law from 2017. The government allocates 1 trillion 23 billion hryvnias in the budget for pension provision, which indicates the authorities' intentions to support the social protection of elderly citizens.

Stages of pension recalculation

The recalculation of pensions will occur in two stages: from January 1, 2026, and from March 1, 2026. From January 1, 2026, the living wage will increase by approximately 230 hryvnias, which will directly affect pensions. This change will affect about 3.5-4 million pensioners.

An important event will also be the annual indexation of pensions, which will take place from March 1, 2026. According to preliminary calculations, indexation will be no less than 11-11.5%. The exact indexation figure will be approved in February 2026, which will allow determining the state's financial obligations regarding pension payments.

Funding of the pension system

In 2026, pension spending will increase by 123 billion hryvnias compared to 2025, which indicates an increase in funding for the pension system. The difference between the pensions of regular labor pensioners and special payments for judges and prosecutors is 40% and 80-85% respectively, raising discussions regarding the fairness of pension provision in Ukraine.

Overall, Ukrainian pensioners can expect positive changes in their pension payments, reflecting the government's efforts towards social support and improving the living standards of citizens.

The increase in pensions in 2026 is an important step towards improving social welfare in Ukraine, especially in the face of economic challenges.

The growth of spending on pension provision demonstrates the government's commitment to supporting elderly citizens, who are often the most vulnerable in society. However, the issue of fairness in the pension payment system remains relevant, as the difference between regular pensions and special payments raises justified discussions among the population.