Work Abroad and Pension: What Has Changed for Ukrainians in 2025.

Changes to the Rules for Counting Foreign Earnings Towards Pension Insurance Experience

The government has approved new rules for counting periods of work abroad towards a person's insurance experience for retirement pension eligibility. This applies in situations where it is difficult or impossible to obtain documents regarding work abroad.

According to decree No. 562 dated May 16, 2025, in such cases, the local department of the Pension Fund has five working days to obtain the necessary documents through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If it is impossible to establish contact between the pension authorities of Ukraine and another country, the request is sent only after communication is restored.

As noted in the DT.UA material: 'When the territorial department of the Pension Fund has the necessary confirmatory documents, periods of earnings abroad are included in the person's insurance experience.'

Working time abroad is counted in calendar days and affects the right to receive a retirement pension. Such changes in the rules will help resolve complex situations and assist people who have worked abroad in obtaining their pensions.

These legislative changes will positively impact the ability of Ukrainians to receive a deserved retirement pension in cases where working abroad has become a more complicated or impossible situation for obtaining documents.