Preferential pension: complete list of professions and application procedure in Ukraine

Preferential (early) retirement in Ukraine is one of the most common reasons for disputes with the Pension Fund because having the “right” isn’t enough—you still have to prove it with documents. It’s not sufficient to have harmful or arduous work—your position must match List No. 1 or List No. 2, the work must have been performed full-time, and the preferential service must be confirmed by a workplace attestation and proper certificates.

This article provides a clear step-by-step guide: what a preferential pension is, who is entitled to it, how to check a job title against Lists No. 1 and No. 2, what age and service requirements apply in 2025, which documents to prepare, and what to do if the company has been liquidated or the PFU refuses. This will help you avoid common mistakes and obtain a pension without unnecessary time losses.

What is an early retirement pension on preferential terms

A preferential pension is an old-age pension that can be granted earlier than the general retirement age if a person worked full-time in harmful or arduous conditions and has confirmed “preferential” service. The idea is simple: early retirement as compensation for increased health risks and reduced professional capacity. In practice, it’s always a “document story”: without properly prepared evidence, the Pension Fund often does not count preferential periods or counts them only in part.

If you are interested not in old-age pension but in survivor’s benefits, see separate conditions and the application procedure: pension in case of loss of a breadwinner.

Legal basis (Article 114 of the Law of Ukraine “On Compulsory State Pension Insurance”)

The key rules (age, total insurance record, preferential service record, as well as age reduction for incomplete preferential service) are set out in Article 114 of Law No. 1058-IV “On Compulsory State Pension Insurance.” This is the provision the PFU usually relies on when granting or refusing a preferential pension.

Who is entitled at all

The right to a preferential pension is held by workers who simultaneously meet three conditions:

• worked full-time in jobs included in List No. 1 or List No. 2;
• have the required total insurance record and the required length of preferential service;
• can document the working conditions and periods of work (employment record book, clarifying certificates, orders/timesheets, workplace attestation documents, etc.).

Important: even if an enterprise is “harmful,” not every position there gives entitlement to the benefit. What matters is the exact job title and specific type of work (as in the lists), as well as the actual full-time schedule.

Lists of occupations that give the right to a preferential pension

The “full list of occupations” consists of two large regulatory lists: List No. 1 and List No. 2, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 24.06.2016 No. 461. These lists group occupations, positions and types of work by industries and productions (sections/subsections). This document is the primary source for checking whether your job title is “preferential.”

Additionally, application of Lists No. 1/No. 2 when calculating service is governed by the Procedure for Applying the Lists approved by Order of the Ministry of Labour No. 383. In disputed situations, the PFU often checks the “literal” match of the job title to the wording in the lists, as well as the fact of employment in the relevant work.

List No. 1 — the most harmful and arduous occupations and types of work

List No. 1 covers underground work and work with particularly harmful and particularly arduous conditions. Traditionally it includes many “mining” and underground areas (mines/ore mines, underground construction of tunnels and metro), as well as specific production processes with the highest risks (dangerous fumes, dust, extreme temperatures, toxic substances, etc.)—but only when this is expressly stated in the relevant list item and confirmed by documents.

List No. 2 — other occupations with harmful/arduous conditions

List No. 2 includes work with harmful and arduous conditions whose risk level is lower than in List No. 1 but still gives the right to early retirement. In practice this may include occupations and types of work in metallurgy, energy, chemical industries, machine-building, construction, transport, repair of technological equipment, etc.—provided the position/work is present in List No. 2 and supported by appropriate certificates and primary documents.

Typical examples of occupations and work for each list

Due to the large volume, articles usually provide examples only (they do not replace checking the specific item of List No. 461):

• List No. 1: underground miners, tunnellers, underground blasting; underground construction (tunnels, metro); certain particularly dangerous chemical processes; work in productions with “particularly” harmful factors (per specific items).
• List No. 2: occupations involving prolonged exposure to harmful factors (dust, noise, vibration, high temperatures, chemicals) in defined productions and shops; certain work in maintenance/operation of equipment in harmful conditions; some work in energy, metallurgy, chemical industry and transport—per the exact list wording.

Practical tip: check not only the job title but also notes/conditions in the list item (e.g., “directly engaged,” “in the shop…,” “at the site…,” “in underground work”). Refusals most often hinge on these details.

Conditions for granting a preferential pension

Age requirements for Lists No. 1 and No. 2

Basic age thresholds under Article 114 of Law No. 1058-IV are:

• List No. 1: men — from 50; women — from 45 with transitional rules (for certain birth years gradually increasing to 50).
• List No. 2: men — from 55; women — from 50 with transitional rules (for certain birth years gradually increasing to 55).

Therefore, for women it’s critical to match the date of birth to the transitional provisions of Article 114 (sometimes the difference is 6 months or 1 year—depending on the birth date).

Insurance record (total and preferential)

Two types of service are required: total insurance record and preferential service. Preferential service includes only periods when the person was employed full-time in jobs from the relevant list.

Basic requirements of Article 114:

• List No. 1: men — 25 years total, of which 10 years preferential; women — 20 years total, of which 7 years 6 months preferential.
• List No. 2: men — 30 years total, of which 12 years 6 months preferential; women — 25 years total, of which 10 years preferential.

Important: earlier transitional rules allowed retirement on preferential terms with less insurance record, but they were time-limited. In 2025 the PFU generally follows the basic requirements of Article 114, so calculate service based on actually confirmed periods.

Workplace attestation — why it matters

Workplace attestation for working conditions is conducted under the procedure approved by CMU Resolution No. 442. Its results (orders, working-conditions cards, lists of workplaces granting benefits) are often key evidence of harmful/arduous conditions.

During martial law, results of attestation carried out before its introduction are often applied: the employer formalizes this by order (with trade union approval) so the documents cover the required periods. Attestation that had to be performed during martial law may be carried out within 6 months after its termination/cancellation. For the PFU, it’s important to have not “words about attestation,” but specific documents: order, working-conditions cards, list of workplaces, and linkage to your job title and years worked.

Reduction of retirement age for partial preferential service

If there is no full preferential service but at least half of it exists, the retirement age is reduced under Article 114:

• List No. 1: for men — by 1 year for each full year of such service; for women — by 1 year 4 months for each full year.
• List No. 2: for men — by 1 year for every 2 years 6 months of such service; for women — by 1 year for every 2 years.

Application procedure for a preferential pension

Where to apply (Pension Fund of Ukraine)

The application is submitted to PFU bodies: at a service center (in person/through a representative) or online via e-services (with QES or Diia.Signature) by uploading scans. In many cases you can also apply via “Diia” (service “Pension assignment”).

People typically apply shortly before reaching the retirement age (often about a month) so the PFU can check documents and, if necessary, request clarifications or additional certificates.

Required documents

Most commonly required:

• passport/ID card and taxpayer number;
• employment record book and/or other documents confirming service;
• clarifying employer certificates on preferential service (periods, position, nature of work, reference to the item in List No. 1/No. 2, details of primary documents);
• workplace attestation documents (if needed);
• optional: wage certificate for any 60 consecutive months prior to 30.06.2000.

If entries in the employment record are missing or incomplete, service is confirmed by other documents per CMU Resolution No. 637 (archival certificates, extracts from orders, payroll records, etc.).

Stages of filing and review

1. Check that the job title matches an item in List No. 461 and collect basic documents.
2. Obtain clarifying certificates and attestation documents (if needed).
3. Submit the application to the PFU (offline or online).
4. Provide missing documents/explanations at the PFU’s request.
5. Receive a decision on assignment or a reasoned refusal (which can be appealed).

If at any stage the PFU asks to “bring” documents or does not credit preferential service, a targeted legal review of the package is usually needed—this is what we do within our pension law practice.

How to prove entitlement to a preferential pension

Procedures for confirming preferential service

If the employment book has a work entry but it does not show “preferential status,” a clarifying employer certificate is usually required. It must include: exact job title, periods of work, nature and conditions of the work performed, confirmation of full-time employment, reference to the specific item of List No. 461, and details of the primary documents on which the certificate is based.

For periods where it’s mandatory, attach attestation documents (orders, extracts, working-conditions cards).

Typical problems when confirming service

The most common reasons for refusals or non-recognition of preferential periods:

• the job title does not match the wording in List No. 461;
• no attestation documents or the attestation does not cover the required period;
• a certificate without a reference to the list item or without primary document details;
• liquidation of the enterprise and no legal successor;
• employment was not full-time or there is no evidence of actual work in “preferential” jobs.

Attestation commissions and documents

If the enterprise was liquidated without a successor, preferential service may be confirmed through commissions at PFU bodies under the procedure set by PFU Board Resolution No. 18-1. Typically, you submit an application, employment record book, proof of enterprise liquidation, archival documents (if available), attestation materials (if any), and other evidence of the nature of work.

FAQ

Who is entitled to a preferential pension in Ukraine?

Workers who have worked full-time in jobs from List No. 1 or No. 2, have the required insurance and preferential service, and can prove this with documents.

What is the difference between List No. 1 and List No. 2?

List No. 1—particularly harmful/particularly arduous conditions (earlier retirement and lower service requirements). List No. 2—harmful/arduous conditions (higher retirement age and more service required).

What minimum insurance record is needed for a preferential pension?

Under the basic rules of Article 114: List No. 1—25 years (men) or 20 years (women); List No. 2—30 years (men) or 25 years (women) plus the required preferential service.

Is the retirement age reduced if there is no full preferential service?

Yes. If at least half of the preferential service is available, the age is reduced per Article 114 formulas separately for List No. 1 and List No. 2.

What documents are needed to apply for a preferential pension?

Passport/ID and taxpayer number, employment book and service documents, clarifying certificates with reference to List No. 461, attestation documents (if needed), optionally a wage certificate for 60 months before 30.06.2000.

Practical tips on applying and how “Pravovyi Lider” can help

1. Check that the job title literally matches the wording in List No. 461.
2. If there were transfers or renamings, collect orders to logically “stitch” the periods.
3. Make sure the attestation exists and covers the required years (or request it from the archive/successor).
4. If the enterprise was liquidated, prepare archival evidence and a document package for the PFU commission.
5. In case of refusal, demand a written decision and fix exactly the “gaps” cited by the PFU.

Pravovyi Lider’s lawyers can help: verify whether a specific position falls under List No. 1/No. 2; prepare requests to the employer and archives; build the evidentiary base for the PFU or the commission; support administrative and judicial appeals against refusals.