10 pensions upon retirement: who is eligible and how to obtain them

A one-time allowance equal to ten monthly pensions is a benefit provided by law upon the first award of an old-age pension. Certain employees of state/municipal institutions in education, healthcare, and social protection are eligible if they have the required special service record. This material briefly explains who can receive it, what conditions apply, and how the payment is calculated.

What is the “10 pensions” payment upon retirement

Definition and essence of the payment

A one-time cash allowance equal to ten monthly pensions is a special payment the state provides to certain categories of employees at the moment their old-age pension is awarded for the first time. The payment is made within a single pension case and is not a monthly supplement: it is a one-off transfer. The amount is fixed as of the pension award date—i.e., the monthly pension calculated on the decision date is taken and multiplied by ten. The allowance is not subject to taxation, does not need to be declared separately, and if the pension is later recalculated or indexed, the size of the already awarded allowance does not change.

An important feature is that this allowance is granted only upon the initial award of an old-age pension. If the person was previously awarded another type of pension (for example, disability or early length-of-service pension), the right to the “10 pensions” allowance usually does not arise. Therefore, when planning retirement, it is worth considering in advance which type of pension to apply for first.

Why the phrase “10 pensions” is used

The phrase reflects the exact calculation method: your monthly pension amount, determined under pension legislation, is taken and multiplied by ten. This is not “ten salaries” or “ten average wages”—employment-related payments in specific sectors have a different legal nature. Therefore, to confirm eligibility the key factors are pension conditions (position, service record, type of institution), not salary scales or collective agreements.

Who is entitled to this payment

Employee categories (education, healthcare, social protection)

Eligible are persons who, on the date they reach retirement age, officially worked in state or municipal institutions in positions that confer the right to a length-of-service pension. These spheres primarily include education, healthcare, and social protection. Examples include teachers, lecturers, educators, heads and deputy heads of educational institutions; physicians, junior medical specialists, nursing staff; specialists of social protection institutions, social workers, etc. The specific list is approved by the government and updated periodically.

Position and ownership form of the institution (state/municipal)

The crucial condition is that the employer is a state or municipal institution. Work in private institutions—even if the functions are identical—does not create entitlement to the payment. It is important that the job title in hiring/transfer/dismissal orders matches the approved lists or is recognized as equivalent by an HR certificate. In the event of reorganization (merger, renaming, change of subordination), it is advisable to obtain a letter on legal succession so the continuity of service is not questioned.

Age, service record, and other criteria

In addition to the appropriate position and institution, you must reach retirement age (usually 60) and have a special insurance service record in the relevant positions: at least 35 years for men and 30 years for women. The record must be documented (employment book, electronic records, HR certificates). If the record is insufficient on the date you reach the age, you may continue working until it is accumulated and apply later—the right to the allowance will arise when the old-age pension is awarded.

Conditions and criteria for receiving the payment

Minimum insurance record, position, no prior pension

The right to the allowance is linked to the first award of an old-age pension. If a person has already received another type of pension (disability, length-of-service, early retirement) before the old-age pension award, the “10 pensions” rule usually does not apply. It is also critical to have the required special service record specifically in positions from the government lists within state/municipal institutions. Periods of work in private institutions are not counted toward this allowance.

Requirements for the institution and employment documents

You must confirm the institution’s ownership form (state or municipal) and that the position matches the approved lists. To do this, prepare: an employer’s certificate indicating the full name of the institution and its founder; references to charter documents; extracts/orders on hiring and transfers; data on the staff position. If the job title changed over time, add an HR certificate confirming the equivalence of the new/old title to the current lists.

Documents to be submitted

The application for the one-time allowance is submitted together with the application for the award of an old-age pension. Typically attach:

• Employment book and/or electronic employment history.
• Certificates from the workplace confirming the position, periods of work, and the institution’s ownership form.
• Hiring/transfer/dismissal orders (if available).
• Documents confirming the special service record in the relevant positions.
• Passport and taxpayer number.

If necessary—letters on institutional succession after reorganization, clarifying HR certificates regarding job titles, as well as explanatory letters.

How the payment is calculated and awarded

Procedure for applying to the Pension Fund / employer

1. Prepare the document package and verify that your position and service record meet the requirements.
2. Submit an application for the award of an old-age pension to the territorial body of the Pension Fund (in person or via the web portal).
3. Simultaneously submit an application/petition for the one-time cash allowance equal to 10 pensions with attached employer certificates.
4. Provide any missing documents upon the Pension Fund’s request (HR certificates, ownership confirmation, orders).
5. Receive the decision on the pension award and the allowance and monitor the accrual.

Amount calculation—what is taken into account

The amount equals ten times the monthly pension calculated on the award date. Example: if the pension is ₴9,200, the one-time allowance is ₴92,000 (₴9,200 × 10). If the pension is later recalculated (indexation, updating), the size of the already paid allowance does not change, as it is determined once—on the award date.

Payment timing and possible delays

Most often, the allowance is paid together with the first pension payment. Delays occur if the document package is incomplete, job titles are inconsistent, or additional HR certificates are needed. To avoid pauses, prepare ownership confirmations and job-title compliance in advance. In case of delay, file a written request with the Pension Fund; if necessary, challenge in administrative proceedings or in court.

Nuances and common mistakes

Most common reasons for refusal

• Insufficient special service record in relevant positions (less than 35/30 years).
• Work in a private institution without required confirmation of state/municipal ownership.
• Prior receipt of another type of pension before the award of old-age pension.
• Discrepancies in job titles; lack of certificates confirming compliance with government lists.
• No documents on legal succession after institutional reorganizations.

Why requirements (record, position) aren’t counted

Most often the Pension Fund excludes periods due to formal mismatches: incorrect job titles in orders, classifier changes, discrepancies between the employment book and electronic data. A preliminary audit helps: reconcile job titles with the lists, obtain employer certificates of compliance, correct inaccuracies in the e-employment record.

How to avoid issues with the payment

• Check in advance whether your position is on the government lists and whether the institution’s ownership form is confirmed as state/municipal.
• Calculate the special service record specifically in these positions; if needed, continue working to accumulate the required period.
• Ensure you have not previously been awarded another type of pension.
• Collect a complete document package: employment records, HR certificates, orders, succession confirmations.
• Submit applications for the pension and the one-time allowance at the same time to avoid extra queues and delays.

FAQ

Who exactly can receive the “10 pensions” payment?

Persons who, on the date they reach retirement age, worked in state/municipal institutions in positions from the “lists,” have 35/30 years of special service record, and have not previously received any pension.

What is the minimum service record required?

35 years (men) or 30 years (women) of special service record in the relevant positions. If the record is insufficient, you may continue working and apply later once you have accumulated the required period.

Can I receive it if I worked outside a state institution?

No. For this allowance, only work in state or municipal institutions in positions from the government lists is counted.

When should I apply after retirement?

Submit the allowance application together with the old-age pension application. If you lacked the special record at the age threshold, apply as soon as you accumulate it.

What should I do if the payment is denied?

Obtain a written refusal stating the grounds, gather additional confirmations (HR certificates, orders, ownership proof), resubmit, or appeal the decision/inaction in the prescribed manner.

Is part-time (concurrent) employment counted?

It may be counted only if the position complies with the lists and the work was performed in a state/municipal institution. Periods of concurrent employment are confirmed by orders and employer certificates.

Will post-award employment affect the allowance amount?

No. The allowance is fixed on the pension award date. Subsequent indexation of the pension or continued employment does not change the amount already paid.

How we can help

The Pravovyi Lider team supports clients planning to retire with the right to the “10 pensions” allowance: we audit special service records and positions, verify compliance with government lists, help prepare HR certificates, compile the complete document package, file applications with the Pension Fund, and handle appeals in case of refusal.