Pension for Missing Breadwinner: Who Has the Right and How Much Will the State Pay.

The pension due to the loss of a breadwinner helps reduce the financial burden on the family left without a close person who was the only earner in the household. In 2025, this payment can be claimed by, for example, the mothers of missing defenders.

The editorial team of Novyny.LIVE explains how to apply for the pension and how much the state will pay.

Who Has the Right to Pension if the Only Breadwinner in the Family is Missing

According to the website of the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU), non-working family members of a person designated as missing under special circumstances can claim the pension due to the loss of a breadwinner. The financial state assistance can be claimed by, in particular, a mother who is receiving a pension due to age or disability.

'The right to a pension arises for non-working family members of the missing person one month after the information about the disappearance is added to the Unified Register of Persons Missing under Special Circumstances.'

How to Apply for a Pension Due to the Loss of a Breadwinner for Relatives of the Missing

As explained by the PFU, citizens must follow a specific procedure. For example:

• the person must first obtain an extraction from the Unified Register of Persons Missing under Special Circumstances (one month after the information appears);
• then apply in person at any service center of the Pension Fund or send a request through the PFU electronic services portal.

The pension due to the loss of a breadwinner will be calculated for the entire time while the person is considered missing. Payments will be canceled once there is a note in the Unified Register of Persons Missing under Special Circumstances indicating the establishment of the location, burial, or remains of the person.

What Is the Pension for the Loss of a Breadwinner

According to the PFU, the amount of payments is as follows:

• for one non-working family member — 50% of the pension for the age of the deceased breadwinner;
• for two or more non-working family members — 100% of the pension for the age of the deceased breadwinner, which is distributed equally among them.

At the same time, the state institution emphasizes that according to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine resolution No. 265 'Some Issues of Pension Provision', the minimum amount of pension due to the loss of a breadwinner, including the monthly state assistance, cannot be lower than:

• for one non-working family member — 100% of the subsistence minimum for persons who have lost their ability to work;
• for two non-working family members — 120% of the subsistence minimum for persons who have lost their ability to work.

If the pension is assigned to three or more non-working family members, then the indicator will be 150% of the subsistence minimum for persons who have lost their ability to work.

Since the minimum pension for retirees is set at 2,361 UAH, the pension for the loss of a breadwinner cannot be less than 1,180 UAH.

Earlier, we reported who among Ukrainians in 2025, even if they turn 60 years old, will not be able to retire. There will be no payments even if citizens lack just one month of service. Learn also about allowances, supplements, and compensations for retirees in August.

In the event of the mysterious disappearance of a close person who was the main breadwinner in the family, non-working family members may claim a special pension for the loss of a breadwinner. They must contact the Pension Fund for information and follow the necessary procedures to receive this state assistance. Payments are made depending on the number of non-working family members and the minimum pension amount set by the government.