Pension Payments for Retirees from Occupied Areas to Continue Without Annual Verification if Transferred to Actual Residence

Pension Benefits for Retirees from Occupied Regions

According to ХВИЛЯ: Retirees originally registered in occupied territories but currently living in areas controlled by Ukraine can now receive their pensions without undergoing yearly physical verification, provided they transfer their payments to their actual place of residence. This change removes unnecessary hurdles for those who remain registered in temporarily occupied locations but physically reside within Ukraine.

Under current legislation, pensioners temporarily abroad or in occupied regions are required to complete physical identification annually. However, the Ukrainian Pension Fund still maintains records of some retirees based on outdated addresses that do not reflect their true living situation. The law permits pension payments to be redirected to the beneficiary's real address within Ukraine upon request, as established in Article 47 of the Law on Compulsory State Pension Insurance.

How to Transfer Your Pension Payments

Retirees wishing to update their pension payment location can submit an application in one of two ways:

• In person at any Pension Fund service center;
• Online via the Pension Fund’s personal account portal.

To facilitate this process, the Pension Fund of Ukraine has prepared a step-by-step video guide for submitting applications online. Once approved, the pension record will reflect the new actual residence within Ukrainian-controlled territory.

According to the Ukrainian Pension Fund, "This transfer serves as the basis for continuing pension payments for the duration of the pension term, regardless of physical identification procedures."

It is important to note that the requirement for physical identification is also mandated by Cabinet Resolution No. 299 dated February 11, 2025.

This initiative by the Pension Fund significantly eases the difficulties faced by retirees displaced from their homes in occupied areas. Allowing pensions to be paid according to actual residence can improve social support for this vulnerable group by ensuring uninterrupted access to funds without unnecessary bureaucracy. The Pension Fund is committed to raising awareness about these new options and enhancing service delivery for pensioners.

As the situation evolves for pensioners in Ukraine, it's crucial to stay informed about the upcoming identity verification requirements. Starting December 31, 2026, retirees will need to complete this verification to avoid suspension of their benefits in 2027. For more details on this important change, you can read our article on the upcoming identity verification process.