Pensioners in occupied territories: how to pass identification by 2026

Ukrainian pensioners of certain categories must undergo the identification procedure in order to continue receiving state benefits. This information was published by the Pension Fund of Ukraine, reports Glavkom.

Who needs to undergo identification?

• Persons living in temporarily occupied territories.
• Pensioners living abroad.
• There is a deadline for these groups - until December 31, 2025. If identification is not completed by this date, payments may be suspended from January 1, 2026.

How to undergo the identification procedure?

• Online through the PFU web portal (authorization via 'Diia' or 'Diia Signature').
• Via video conference: filling out an application on the web portal and scheduling a video call through contact centers.
• Through Ukrainian embassies and consulates abroad: preparation of documents and their submission to the territorial PFU office or on the portal.
• In person at the PFU service center or at the bank receiving the pension (you must be on the territory of Ukraine).

How to apply for video identification?

• Go to the PFU portal and select the tab 'Application for identification via video conferencing'.
• Fill out the form with the necessary details and choose the application for video communication.
• After submitting the application, you will receive an invitation for the video call. Prepare the necessary documents.

If identification is not completed by December 31, 2025, pension payments may be suspended from January 1, 2026. Also, pensioners receiving payments in Russia are at risk of losing these payments. During the identification, it is necessary to inform about receiving state benefits from the aggressor.

According to the Pension Fund of Ukraine, the average pension as of October 2025 is 6.4 thousand UAH. However, most pensioners actually receive less - about 3.3 million Ukrainians receive around 3.3 thousand UAH per month, and 4% receive about 2.3 thousand UAH.

Pensioners of certain categories in Ukraine must successfully undergo identification by December 31, 2025, to continue receiving pension payments. Identification can be done in various ways, including online, via video conference, and in-person visits to the relevant institutions. Agents of the Pension Fund of Ukraine provide detailed instructions on the process to ensure continuity of payments. This measure is designed for effective control and to avoid possible fraud.