How Ukrainian Pensioners Abroad and in Occupied Territories Can Update Their Payment Location

New Annual Verification Rules for Pensioners

According to Пенсії (RSS): The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has enacted new regulations, Decree No. 299 dated February 11, 2025, requiring specific categories of pensioners to undergo an annual in-person verification to continue receiving their pensions. This verification must be completed by December 31 each year. The policy is designed to improve oversight and control over state pension disbursements.

Who Must Complete the Annual Verification?

Under the new rules, pensions will be paid based on the retiree's actual place of residence within Ukraine. The following groups are now subject to mandatory annual physical identification:

• Pensioners residing temporarily outside of Ukraine;
• Pensioners living in territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation.

This measure is a direct response to the challenges of administering social benefits during wartime and mass displacement. To change their pension payment address, retirees can submit an application in either paper or electronic form. Electronic submissions require a qualified electronic signature (QES). The online application process involves several steps:

• First, log in to the government's electronic services portal and authenticate using your QES.
• Next, select the 'Pension Provision' section and the option 'Making Changes to a Pension File'.
• Then, in the new window, navigate to 'Application for Changing Pensioner's Personal Data', fill in the required information, upload scanned copies of any supporting documents, select the option 'Transfer of Pension Payments to a New Place of Residence', sign the application with your QES, and submit it to the Pension Fund of Ukraine.
• You can check the status of your application in the 'My Applications' section.

The introduction of this annual verification is expected to significantly impact Ukraine's social payment system by reducing fraud risks and ensuring pensions go only to those legally entitled. This step reflects the state's broader effort to modernize its social protection framework amid ongoing conflict and territorial challenges.

“The new rules require pensioners to be more proactive in managing their payment affairs, which may demand extra effort, especially for those abroad or in occupied territories.”