Pension in connection with the loss of a breadwinner in Ukraine – conditions, amounts, registration, and special cases

A survivor’s pension (a pension due to the loss of a breadwinner) is a social benefit that provides financial support to family members of a deceased person who relied on them for maintenance—such as a spouse, minor children, persons with disabilities, and other dependants. Entitlement generally arises from the date of the breadwinner’s death, provided the required insurance record is met, and the amount depends on the recipient category and the pension (or notional pension) attributable to the deceased.

The purpose of this pension is to compensate for the loss of the main source of income and to guarantee a minimum level of social protection for non-working family members, while annual indexation helps preserve the purchasing power of payments.

What a survivor’s pension is

Statutory definition (Articles 30 and 37 of the Law on Mandatory State Pension Insurance)

A survivor’s pension is a form of social security that provides pension payments to family members of a person who was entitled to a pension and has died. Under Article 30 of the Law of Ukraine “On Mandatory State Pension Insurance” No. 1058-IV dated 09.07.2003, the right to such a pension arises from the date of the breadwinner’s death, provided the required insurance record and insurance contributions are in place; and under Article 37 of the same law, the procedure for calculating the payment amount is established depending on the recipient category and the deceased person’s pension amount. The text of Articles 30 and 37 of Law No. 1058-IV can be viewed online on the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine website for a quick review of the current version.

Why it is granted — protection for non-working family members

A survivor’s pension is intended to compensate for the loss of the main source of income for non-working family members who depended on the deceased. The state assumes the obligation to support those who have been left without financial provision by guaranteeing a minimum level of social protection and helping them adapt to new economic conditions.

The pension is also subject to annual indexation under the procedure set by the government, which helps preserve the real purchasing power of payments. Indexation is applied automatically each year on 1 March, based on official inflation and average-wage indicators published by the State Statistics Service, without the need for additional applications.

Who is eligible

Non-working family members

The right to a pension arises for family members who, at the time of the breadwinner’s death, were considered non-working: a wife or husband who has reached retirement age or has a disability; parents aged 60+ or with an established disability; as well as children under 18. Children with disabilities may be eligible regardless of age. Disability status is confirmed by the relevant medical assessment documentation (including, where applicable, a decision of a medical and social expert commission).

For example: if the deceased is survived by three children—a 16-year-old school student, a 21-year-old university student, and a 30-year-old employee—only the first two (a minor and a full-time student up to 23) will be entitled to the benefit, while the employed child without a disability will not.

Persons who were dependants

Persons over 18 who do not belong to the “non-working” category but received from the deceased at least 50 % of their average income during the year before the death may also be entitled to a pension. This includes full-time students up to 23, adopted or biological brothers and sisters, as well as other relatives (in certain cases) as determined by the Pension Fund. Financial dependence can be confirmed by income certificates, bank statements, or certificates from educational institutions.

Example: if a person received from the breadwinner more than 50% of their income (for example, received a scholarship plus additional support), it is usually sufficient to provide a bank statement showing regular transfers and a certificate from the educational institution.

Missing persons — specific rules

If the breadwinner is declared missing by a court decision, the right to a pension arises one month after the relevant decision becomes final. Applications are accepted only after this period expires, so it is important to track the date the decision becomes final and prepare documents in advance.

Civil (unregistered) partnership — Supreme Court position

The Supreme Court of Ukraine recognizes de facto family relationships as grounds for granting a pension where partners were not in a registered marriage but lived together and ran a joint household for at least two years. Typical evidence includes a court decision establishing the fact of cohabitation, joint housing documents, utility payment records, and witness statements (including neighbours).

Eligibility conditions

Insurance record

The breadwinner must have an insurance record: at least 35 years for men and 30 years for women. If Disability Group III is established, the minimum record is reduced to 15 years. If there is not enough record, the payment is granted in a fixed minimum amount of state assistance.

When calculating the insurance record, all entries in the PFU register are taken into account—both official employment and voluntary contributions by sole proprietors. To check this, we recommend ordering a certificate of insurance periods in your account on the PFU website.

According to the Law of Ukraine “On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2025,” from 1 January 2025 the subsistence minimum for persons who have lost working capacity is 2,361 UAH; therefore, the minimum old-age pension in the absence of the required record cannot be lower than this amount.

The accrual procedure in case of military service is detailed in the regulatory framework of military law.

Dependency criteria (financial dependence)

Family members who claim the benefit as dependants must confirm that they received from the deceased at least 50 % of their average income. Supporting documents may include certificates from an educational institution or workplace, a bank statement, or a certificate from the Pension Fund.

Payment amounts

Typical 50 % and 100 % of the breadwinner’s pension

A wife/husband and parents receive 50 % each of the deceased person’s monthly pension. Children under 18 or with disabilities receive 100 % each. If there are several recipients in the family, each receives the applicable percentage of the base amount.

Important: if there are more than three recipients in the family, the total amount may be reduced proportionally, but it will never fall below two subsistence minimums.

At the same time, issues regarding confirmation of family ties and the order of inheritance-related payments are governed by family law.

70% for military personnel; 30% for civilians; minimum payments

If the death occurred during service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other security and defence formations, the pension amount is 70 % of the notional pension amount of the deceased. If the death occurred due to a non-service-related (domestic) injury—30 %. The minimum payment cannot be less than two subsistence minimums for persons unable to work (as of 2025—not less than 8,000 UAH).

Time limits for granting

Within 12 months after death

An application to the PFU may be submitted within one year from the date of the breadwinner’s death. If the applicant was late for valid reasons (sick leave, staying abroad), the time limit may be extended upon the recipient’s request to the PFU with supporting documents.

Online — up to 10 business days

If filed via the Diia portal or the PFU web interface, the decision on granting the pension is made within 10 business days from the moment a complete set of documents is received. Funds are credited to the account or delivered by post by the 25th of the following month.

What documents are required

To apply for a survivor’s pension, you need to compile a complete set of documents so the PFU can promptly confirm the grounds and grant the payment.

Application, passport, TIN

• An application in the standard PFU form (available at a PFU office or on the PFU website).
• A passport of a citizen of Ukraine (a copy of all pages with marks) or an ID card (original presented when filing).
• Taxpayer identification number (TIN), copy (if required—notarised copies).

Death certificate or court decision/recognition

• Original and copy of the death certificate.
• If the breadwinner is missing—a copy of the court decision recognizing the person as deceased with an extract from the Unified State Register of Court Decisions (in force for at least one month).

Certificates on family status, record, dependency, study, QES

• A certificate from the civil registry office (RACTS/DRACS) or the housing office (ZhEK) on family composition.
• A certificate from the last workplace or an extract from the PFU register on the insurance record and the amount of the deceased person’s pension.
• For dependants—a certificate from the educational institution or a bank statement showing incoming funds.
• For online filing—a qualified electronic signature (QES).
• If needed—archival documents or other supporting evidence (e.g., due to force majeure circumstances).

Even if there is not enough insurance record, the pension is granted in a fixed minimum amount (not less than two subsistence minimums as of July 2025—8,000 UAH), so we recommend clarifying this point with the PFU right away.

How to apply

Through the PFU or a CNAP

1. Collect the set of documents according to the list.
2. Apply to the PFU office or a CNAP (Administrative Service Center).
3. Staff review the documents and register the application.
4. Receive a notification of the decision and the payment method (bank/post).

Online via Diia or the PFU portal

Before you start, make sure your Diia app is updated to the latest version—this helps prevent errors when uploading documents and using a QES.

1. Sign in

• In the Diia mobile app or on pension.gov.ua, tap “Sign in” and choose a method: BankID, MobileID, or QES.

2. Go to the “Pensions” section

• In the main menu, find the “Pensions” block and select “Survivor’s pension.”

3. Complete the online form

• Enter the recipient’s personal details (full name, registration number, address).
• Select the recipient category (wife/husband, children, dependant, etc.).

4. Upload documents

• Passport and TIN (PDF or JPG, up to 5 MB each).
• Death certificate or court decision (PDF/JPG).
• Family composition certificate (civil registry office / ZhEK).
• Certificates on record/dependency/study (if applicable).

5. Sign the application with a qualified electronic signature (QES)

• Click “Sign” and select your certificate.

6. Submit the document package

• After signing, confirm submission—the system will automatically forward the application to the PFU.

7. Track the review status

• Your account will show “In progress,” “Clarifications required,” or “Granted.”
• If the status changes to “Clarifications required,” open the detailed comments in your account, upload the missing documents or correct inaccuracies (for example, incorrect passport data), and click “Submit” again.
• If the delay exceeds 10 business days, contact the PFU hotline or your nearest office with screenshots confirming the status.
• If documents are missing, you will receive a notification indicating what needs to be corrected.

8. Receive the payment

• The decision is made within up to 10 business days.
• Funds are credited to the specified account or delivered by post no later than the 25th of the following month.

Special cases

When the breadwinner is missing (right arises after 1 month)

The right to a pension arises one month after the court decision recognizing the person as deceased becomes final. Before that, the PFU does not accept applications, so it is recommended to check the extract from the Unified State Register of Court Decisions and prepare documents in advance to avoid delays.

Civil partners — Supreme Court practice

The Supreme Court recognizes the right to the benefit for civil partners who lived together for at least two years and ran a joint household. A court decision establishing the fact of family relations is required, along with supporting evidence: joint agreements, bills, and witness statements.

Military families and Chornobyl victims — special rules (70 %, minimum of two subsistence minimums)

For families of fallen servicemembers and persons affected by the Chornobyl disaster, the pension is at least 70 % of the notional pension amount of the breadwinner and cannot be less than two subsistence minimums for persons unable to work. In addition to the standard documents, a certificate confirming combatant status or a certificate from the competent authority responsible for Chornobyl status may be required.

FAQ

What if there was no insurance record?

If the required insurance record is absent, the pension is granted in a fixed minimum amount, but not less than 2,361 UAH.

What if I missed the 12-month deadline?

If the application is filed later than 12 months after the breadwinner’s death, you must provide evidence of valid reasons (sick leave, staying abroad, etc.). The PFU reviews such cases individually.

Can the amount be changed (insurance record)?

If, after the pension is granted, additional insurance record is confirmed or the deceased person’s pension amount changes, you may apply to the PFU with new documents to recalculate the payments.

How do you appeal a refusal?

In case of refusal, you must file a written complaint with the relevant PFU unit, and if the decision is not in your favour—submit an administrative claim to the court at your place of residence.

Legal assistance

«Pravovyi Lider» supports the entire process of granting a survivor’s pension:

1. Assessment of grounds and documents – checking the insurance record, confirming dependant status, and verifying timely filing.
2. Preparation and submission of applications – filing with the PFU/CNAP and online via Diia in compliance with all document-package requirements.
3. Appealing refusals or delays – preparing complaints to the PFU and court claims, and representing interests in enforcement proceedings.
4. Pension recalculation – supporting procedures to change the payment amount when additional record is credited or circumstances change.