New Pension Payment Mechanism for IDPs, Ukrainians Abroad and in the TOT of Ukraine: What Has Changed?

The government has approved a new procedure for paying pensions to IDPs, residents of the TOT and Ukrainians abroad. Find out who is affected by the changes, who needs to be identified, how to do it online or abroad, and what to do in case of payment termination

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The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a new mechanism for paying pensions, which has already entered into force. The changes apply to internally displaced persons (IDPs), Ukrainians living abroad, and residents of the temporarily occupied territories (TOT). The details of the innovations were explained by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.

Unified pension payment mechanism: who is affected and how does it work?

The government's resolution provides for a unified approach to the calculation and payment of pensions and insurance benefits for all categories of citizens, regardless of their place of residence. This should ensure transparency, accounting, and control over the receipt of pensions, especially under martial law.

According to the new rules, all pensioners who are IDPs, residing in the TOT or temporarily abroad must undergo physical identification by December 31 each year to continue receiving payments.

Mandatory application for pension payment for TOT residents

Ukrainians who reside in the temporarily occupied territories or have left them for the government-controlled territory of Ukraine must submit a written application to the Pension Fund of Ukraine. The application must confirm that the person does not receive a pension or other social benefits from the aggressor state.

Only after submitting this application and passing identification, payments will be resumed or extended.

How can I receive pension payments?

Pensions and insurance payments are made through authorized banks, as well as, at the request of the recipient, through Ukrposhta JSC. This allows you to choose a convenient way to receive funds for each pensioner.

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How to pass the annual physical identification?

The identification mechanism provides for several available methods to take into account the situations of citizens:

● Personal visit to the territorial office of the Pension Fund of Ukraine or the bank where the pension account is opened.

● Use of “Diia.Signature”: authorization in the electronic cabinet on the Pension Fund's electronic services web portal using a qualified electronic signature.

● Video identification: through the same portal, you can pass identification remotely via video communication - via Google Meet, Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, etc.

● For those who are abroad, the possibility of confirming the fact that a person is alive through a foreign diplomatic mission of Ukraine. To do this, you need to apply to the consulate with a corresponding application.

What happens if the identification is not successful?

If the physical identification is not completed, the payment of the pension is temporarily suspended, although the pension amount itself continues to be accrued. To resume payments, you must:

● undergo identification;

● submit a second application to the Pension Fund of Ukraine.

If the pension was terminated before March 20, 2025 due to lack of identification or due to the cancellation of the IDP certificate, it can be resumed only after confirmation of identity.

Who does not need to be identified?

The new rules do not apply to Ukrainian citizens temporarily residing outside the country and receiving a pension on the basis of international treaties ratified by Ukraine. Such people do not need to undergo annual identification under the new procedure.

We remind you! Next year, Ukraine plans to introduce a funded pension system. Read what this means for citizens, how the new system will work, and who will be able to use the savings in our previous article.

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