Annual In-Person Pensioner Verification Abroad and in Temporarily Occupied Territories: Who Is Exempt

Mandatory Annual Physical Verification for Pensioners

According to Пенсії (RSS): All pension recipients or insurance beneficiaries residing temporarily outside Ukraine or in temporarily occupied territories must complete an annual in-person verification by December 31. This requirement applies to every pensioner, regardless of whether they hold the status of an internally displaced person (IDP). However, IDP pensioners who have relocated from temporarily occupied areas to territories controlled by Ukraine are exempt from this physical verification process.

According to representatives from the Pension Fund of Ukraine, IDP pensioners living on Ukrainian-controlled territory who have arranged for their pension payments to be transferred to their new address do not need to undergo physical verification. Per Article 47 of the Law of Ukraine 'On Compulsory State Pension Insurance,' pensions are paid based on the pensioner’s actual place of residence within Ukraine, irrespective of their declared or registered address.

How Pension Assignments Are Handled

Pensioners indicate their place of residence when applying for pension assignment or recalculation. Detailed instructions on transferring pension payments to the actual place of residence are available for review.

This guidance is particularly crucial for pensioners facing changes in residence due to conflict or occupation. Simplifying procedures-such as exempting IDPs from mandatory physical verification-helps ensure continued access to pension benefits and strengthens social support during times of crisis. Awareness of these rights and options is essential for pensioners to prevent misunderstandings with the Pension Fund of Ukraine.