Disability pensions will increase from 2026: new amounts for veterans and civilians.

According to ТСН: From January 1, 2026, a new stage of social standard increases will begin in Ukraine, driven by the growth of the minimum living wage. According to the Budget Declaration for 2026-2028, this will affect the amount of minimum social payments.

The minimum living wage for persons who have lost capacity to work will increase from 2,361 hryvnias to 2,595 hryvnias. This increase will automatically affect minimum pensions and special state assistance.

Disability pensions: new payment amounts

Especially noticeable changes will affect veterans and those whose disability is related to combat actions. Since their payments are calculated based on the minimum living wage, in 2026 they will receive the following amounts:

• Group I: 16,867.50 hryvnias (up from 15,346.50 hryvnias).

• Group II: 13,623.75 hryvnias (up from 12,395.25 hryvnias).

• Group III: 9,342 hryvnias (up from 8,499.60 hryvnias).

Moreover, veterans and combatants who are 85 years old will receive monthly targeted assistance in the amount of 650% of the minimum living wage. This will amount to 16,867.50 hryvnias.

For civilians with disabilities, no significant changes in the calculation formula are planned, but their minimum pension payment cannot be less than the new minimum living wage — 2,595 hryvnias.

Conditions for assigning disability pension

To receive a disability pension, a person must have an established medical group and the corresponding insurance experience (from 1 to 15 years, depending on age at the time of disability occurrence). The state has defined the following percentage rates:

• 100% — for persons with Group I disability;

• 90% — for persons with Group II;

• 50% — for persons with Group III.

This differentiation helps maintain the income level of citizens according to the degree of work capacity loss, ensuring a fair distribution of budget funds.

Will other social payments increase in 2026?

In addition to the increase in minimum thresholds in January, there will be an annual indexation of pensions in March 2026. Although the exact coefficient is calculated based on inflation rates and the growth of average wages over the previous year, expert forecasts suggest that the rate of increase may be higher than in previous years.

Additionally, age supplements will continue for pensioners whose payments do not exceed the limit of 10,340.35 hryvnias. Citizens over 70, 75, and 80 years old will receive corresponding monthly compensation payments, which are added to the base pension amount.

Thus, the planned increases in social standards in 2026 will contribute to improving the welfare not only of veterans and persons with disabilities but also of civilian pensioners. It is expected that the innovations will help link payments to the real needs of the population, which, in turn, will reduce social tension in society. The systemic changes implemented by the government underscore its intention to support the most vulnerable segments of the population amid economic challenges. A constant analysis of the situation and people's needs precedes the revision of approaches to social payments, paving the way for a fairer social support system.