Crediting work experience in Rrussia for pension assignment in Ukraine

The full-scale war that the russian federation unleashed against Ukraine, in addition to its direct destructive impact, has generated a number of consequences that have affected various spheres of life. Including, this concerns the sphere of jurisprudence in general and pension law in particular. A significant part of Ukrainians who have work experience in russia have encountered a problem in the issue of its enrollment. We suggest that you learn more about the legislative side of this issue, as well as how the services of lawyers from the law firm "Prikhodko and Partners" can be useful for you. It is worth noting that the sphere of pension law belongs to the key competence within the focus of the practice of our specialists.

Features of legal regulation

On January 1, 2023, russia ceased to participate in the Agreement on Guarantees of the Rights of Citizens of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States in the Field of Pension Provision of March 13, 1992. Ukraine did the same when, on November 29, 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 1328 “On Withdrawal from the Agreement on Guarantees of the Rights of Citizens of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States in the Field of Pension Provision”, which entered into force on December 2, 2022.

To briefly talk about how everything is going as of today, a simplified mechanism for crediting seniority has been in effect since 2025. A person only declares that he does not receive a pension from the Russian authorities, and this makes it possible to avoid interaction with the pension authorities of the aggressor state.

The main document is a work book. Certificates from enterprises or archival extracts confirming work are also accepted.

Important facts about pensions

In 2024, Law No. 3674-IX came into force, which regulated the calculation of insurance experience for persons who worked abroad. As for the requirements for experience, in 2026, in order to retire at the age of 60, you must have at least 33 years of insurance experience. If the experience in the russian federation is not credited, a person may lose the right to payments.

If it is a matter of a few months of experience that is not enough, some choose the option of buying it. The Pension Fund officially provides this opportunity. However, if a person worked in the russian federation for several years or even more than a decade, the amount that would have to be paid for the uncredited experience would be too significant. So, as of 2026, 1 year of future service is 22,828 hryvnias, and when it comes to past service, the specified amount is multiplied by a factor of 2.

A legal solution to the issue through the court is often cheaper and more effective. So you should not give up your right to defend the appointment of a pension if, as of today, you are denied this.

What else is it advisable to know about legislation and judicial practice?

As noted, back in 2024, Law No. 3674-IX came into force. According to it, the experience acquired in other countries should be taken into account to determine the right to a pension in Ukraine. Even if agreements with the aggressor country are terminated, there are legal mechanisms to confirm your work. A pensioner should not become a hostage to a situation associated with the start of a full-scale invasion.

It is no less important to mention the practice of the Supreme Court. In 2024–2026, it remains consistently on the side of pensioners. The main principle: the lack of interstate exchange of information between Ukraine and the russian federation cannot be a basis for restricting a person's right to pension provision.

Here are the key principles relevant to resolving such issues:

• Priority of the work book. The Supreme Court of Ukraine emphasized: this document is the main one for counting the length of service. So, if the work book has clear entries, stamps and no corrections, the PFU is obliged to count this length of service without additional confirmation from foreign bodies. The argument for the court is that the inability to conduct an inspection or receive a response to a request in the russian federation due to the war is not the fault of the pensioner. Therefore, this fact should not become a reason to deprive a person of their means of livelihood.
• In 2025, the Supreme Court in case No. 380/6917/24 confirmed that periods of work in the russian federation (even in remote regions - such as, for example, the Khanty-Mansiysk District) are subject to counting if they took place before the termination of the relevant international treaties. The Court rejects arguments about the "aggressor country" when it comes to legally acquired rights to social protection in previous years.

So, the lawyers of the law firm "Prikhodko and Partners", who specialize in the field of pension law, in such cases will help to appeal the unlawful refusal of the PFU in court, will help to prove the length of service using the work book and other documents without requests to the russian federation, and will also help to increase the amount of your payment, taking into account each month worked. To communicate with a specialist in the format of an initial consultation, fill out the feedback form on the website.