New rules come into effect: how Ukrainians abroad can retain their pension and work experience.

How to preserve your pension and work experience abroad – expert advice

Sergiy Korobkin, an independent pension provision expert, explained how Ukrainians working abroad can retain their pension and work experience. In recent times, over 6 million Ukrainians have emigrated due to Russian aggression. About half of them were able to find jobs, while 14% became pensioners. Therefore, the question arises about the consideration of work experience and obtaining pensions for Ukrainians working abroad.

Existing international pension agreements between Ukraine and several other countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Spain, and others) address this issue on the principle of experience distribution. Under these agreements, each state pays a pension for the period during which the person worked on its territory. However, not all countries have such agreements, for example, with Germany.

'Now the Pension Fund can see the data of the border service, migration service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and monitor all pensioners who left if they did not inform about themselves in Time,' – noted the expert.

Changes in Ukrainian legislation allow considering foreign work experience for obtaining a pension even in countries without appropriate agreements. However, it is important to undergo annual identification in advance; otherwise, the pension payment may be suspended. For the official recognition of border work experience, the necessary documents are required, and at the moment, the mechanism for confirming this experience has not yet been fully developed.