A Push to Raise Ukraine’s Minimum Pension to 5,600 Hryvnias Gains Traction

Reforming How Ukraine Calculates Its Minimum Pension

According to ХВИЛЯ: A new petition on the website of Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers calls for overhauling the way the minimum pension is determined. Instead of linking it to the subsistence minimum, the proposal ties it to the minimum wage. As of this report, the petition has gathered just over 70 signatures out of the 25,000 needed for official review, with 90 days remaining in the collection period.

Filed on May 22, 2026, the petition highlights a stark gap: the current minimum pension in Ukraine is 2,595 hryvnias, while the 2026 minimum wage stands at 8,000 hryvnias. Under the proposed plan, the minimum pension would be set at 70% of the minimum wage, equaling 5,600 hryvnias. For certain categories of retirees, a multiplier of up to 120% could be applied, raising their pension to 9,600 hryvnias.

Pension Indexation and the Pension Fund’s Growing Debt

On March 1, 2026, Ukraine conducted its annual pension indexation with a coefficient of 1.121, representing a 12.1% increase. On average, pensioners received an additional 600–650 hryvnias per month. Despite these efforts, the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) now owes over 91 billion hryvnias to retirees based on court rulings.

Commenting on the proposed changes, Dmytro Korsun said: ‘This is a completely different level. Not just survival, but a certain financial stability.’

Shifting the calculation method for the minimum pension depends on two key factors: length of work history and working conditions, adding complexity to the decision-making process. The difference between the current pension and the proposed one could exceed 3,000 hryvnias per month. Any final changes to pension legislation must be approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

These proposed reforms could significantly improve the financial situation of Ukraine’s pensioners, offering greater income stability for many elderly citizens. However, moving forward requires not only gathering enough petition signatures but also lawmakers’ willingness to act, especially given the Pension Fund’s existing debts and other fiscal challenges. This issue remains pressing as the cost of living rises and social needs grow.