The pensioner may lose part of the payments: when a special rule applies.

A letter from pensioner Vasyl Trokhymovych from Kyiv region arrived at the editorial office of the newspaper 'On Pension', requesting to check the calculation of his pension. The man does not trust the calculations of the Pension Fund and hopes that after the check, his pension will increase.

From village council chairman to janitor

Vasyl Trokhymovych was the chairman of the village council in Zhytomyr region for four terms and retired in 2007 under state service law.

'The increase in such pensions was frozen after 2014,' says Serhiy Korobkin, a pension expert.

At the end of 2020, when he turned 72, Vasyl Trokhymovych had to take a job as a janitor, as his pension had depreciated.

Change of pension type and further recalculations

In March 2022, Vasyl Trokhymovych was transferred to a regular old-age pension, like many former civil servants and officials of local self-government bodies.

'From April 2022, a new type of pension based on length of service was recalculated, adding the period of work from December 2020. The law provides for automatic pension recalculation every two years for those who continue to work,' explains Serhiy Korobkin.

In spring 2024, questions arose that the pensioner outlined in his letter.

Three key questions from the pensioner

Vasyl Trokhymovych asked three questions:

How is recalculation conducted without current salary data?

'Length of service includes periods of work for which insurance contributions have been paid, and this is reflected in the state register of insured persons. Reports are submitted quarterly,' explains Korobkin.

It is allowed to assign a pension or its recalculation without current data, but then they are obliged to conduct additional calculations.

Why has the amount of the supplement for above-norm length of service decreased?

In 2022, the pensioner received a supplement for 18 years of above-norm length of service amounting to 3318 UAH (18% of the living wage).

In 2024, the supplement was reduced to 10% from 18%, even with an increase in length of service. The reason is changes in the salary coefficient.

Why is an outdated indicator of the living wage used?

When calculating pensions, an outdated indicator of the living wage is used for those who continue to work. After dismissal, the supplement for length of service is recalculated based on the current indicator.

Questions to the Pension Fund

Serhiy Korobkin expressed two more questions to the Pension Fund:

'Why were the options for the salary coefficient changed in the pension case during 2022-2024, regardless of changes in the salary period?'

It is also proposed to eliminate the salary certificate for 1995-1999 during pension calculation.

Possible solution to the problem

It is proposed to abandon the inclusion of the salary certificate from 1995-1999, which is outdated information and not beneficial. Thus, the calculation period can be shortened and free the pensioner from unnecessary formalities.

The editorial office cannot check pension cases and give instructions to the Pension Fund but strives to explain the nuances of pension legislation and provide recommendations.