Pension for Special Merits: Who is Eligible and How to Apply

The Main Department of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in the Ternopil region reminds about a special type of social security — the pension for special merits before Ukraine. This is an additional allowance to the main pension, granted to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of the state, science, sports, defense, or who hold relevant statuses according to the law.

This is reported by AgroReview

Who is Entitled to the Pension for Special Merits

Eligibility for this pension includes:

• Heroes of Ukraine, individuals awarded the Order of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes, as well as those who have received four or more orders of Ukraine after August 24, 1991, and those who have been granted the title of “people’s” after this date;
• war veterans awarded the Order for Courage in defense of Ukraine after gaining independence;
• champions, world and European record holders, winners of the Olympic, Paralympic, and Deaflympic Games;
• cosmonauts, members of flight-test crews;
• individuals with the title of “honored,” laureates of state awards of Ukraine, awarded orders of Ukraine;
• mothers who have given birth to and raised five or more children until the age of six (or fathers in the case of the mother’s death or deprivation of her rights);
• rehabilitated fighters for Ukraine’s independence in the 20th century who suffered repression for political or religious reasons.

Amount of Allowance and Application Procedure

The allowance ranges from 23% to 40% of the minimum living wage for individuals who have lost their ability to work. For fighters for Ukraine’s independence in the 20th century, a fixed amount of 4200 UAH is provided, which will amount to 5055.77 UAH from March 1, 2025, taking into account the annual increase according to the government coefficient.

The pension for special merits is assigned:

1. from the date of application submission or from the moment of acquiring the right (if the application is made no later than 12 months from the date of the right’s emergence);
2. upon application in paper or electronic form with the addition of all necessary supporting documents;
3. if there are certificates from regional commissions (for fighters for independence).

If documents are sent by mail, the date of application is considered the date of the postmark. If the documents are incomplete, the Pension Fund informs the applicant about which documents need to be added. If they are provided within three months from the date of notification, the date of application is considered the date of the first submitted application.

In case of changes to the minimum living wage, an automatic recalculation is carried out. In the event of the death of an individual entitled to the pension for special merits, their non-working relatives may receive an allowance of 70% for one family member or 90% for two or more.

More information can be obtained from the territorial divisions of the Pension Fund or on the official website.