Widow’s survivor’s pension

Ukrainian legislation provides social protection for widows who, as a result of the sudden death of their breadwinner, find themselves in a difficult financial situation. According to the Law "On Mandatory State Pension Insurance", a widow acquires the right to receive a pension in connection with the loss of a breadwinner. This applies to situations where the deceased husband was the sole breadwinner of the family, and the wife was completely dependent on him.

Secured widows' right to pension payments after the loss of a breadwinner

The size of such a pension for a widow in 2023 should be:

• if one disabled family member has the right to a pension, the pension is 70% of the breadwinner's income.
• if two or more disabled family members have the right to a pension, the pension is 50% of the breadwinner's income.

At the same time, the state guarantees the minimum amount of payments in such cases at the level of two subsistence minimums for persons who have lost their ability to work, the total amount of which is 4,186 hryvnias.

Despite the sudden loss of a breadwinner, Ukrainian legislation provides at least minimal pension protection for widows so that they can ensure their existence.

Peculiarities of pension provision for widows in Ukraine after the sudden death of the breadwinner

According to the current pension legislation, a widow in Ukraine automatically acquires the right to a pension in the event of the sudden death of her husband, who was her sole breadwinner. Such a pension begins to be paid from the day after the breadwinner's death. The main condition is that the widow submits an appropriate application within 12 months from the date of her husband's death.

If the widow is already disabled, she will receive the mentioned pension throughout the period of her disability. Instead, widows of retirement age with sufficient work experience will be entitled to a lifetime pension under the law.

In the event of a change in the size of the pension or termination of its payment, such changes will be applied from the following month after the occurrence of the relevant circumstances. Even in the case of a sudden loss of a breadwinner, the state guarantees pension protection to widows in Ukraine in accordance with the established procedure.

Issuance of a pension in connection with the loss of a breadwinner for widows in Ukraine

In order to issue a pension payment in connection with the sudden loss of a breadwinner, a widow in Ukraine must apply to the local office of the Pension Fund at the place of registration with the appropriate package of documents. In accordance with the requirements of the Pension Fund, in addition to the standard list, the widow must submit documents identifying the identity of the deceased husband, the widow and confirming the family relationship with him.

It is also worth adding a certificate of shared residence with the deceased, documents about existing children and their education. If necessary, certificates on the widow's disability and her work experience are submitted. In case of the sudden death of the husband during military service, the widow must additionally obtain and submit an extract from the military unit or commissariat about the circumstances and causes of death, as well as a conclusion about the connection of the death with the performance of military duties.

Only if all the necessary documents are completed and completed correctly, the widow will be able to issue and receive the pension due to her in connection with the loss of a breadwinner in Ukraine.

If you have any questions, problems or doubts when registering a pension, the qualified lawyers of the company "Prikhodko&Partners" will help you, contact us for advice and support. The team of lawyers has experience in the field of pension legislation. We will help in solving this issue and, if necessary, defend the right to a timely and full survivor's pension.