The military pension in 2026 is awarded under Law No. 2262-XII “On pension provision for persons released from military service and some other persons” in three types: for length of service, for disability and in the case of loss of a breadwinner. Its amount is calculated not from a salary and insurance record, as with a civil pension, but as a percentage of the serviceman’s monetary allowance.
The pension for length of service is awarded after 25 calendar years of service regardless of age, or from age 45 under mixed service conditions. From 1 March 2026 the basic amount of military pensions was indexed by 12,1%; allowances and supplements were not included in that indexation.
Types of military pensions under Law No. 2262-XII
Law No. 2262-XII applies to servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU), the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGSU) and other formations, as well as to police officers and rescuers. These pensions are determined and paid by the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU), but the documents for it are prepared by the authorised body of the ministry or agency where the person served.
For length of service
This is the main type of military pension, which career servicemen receive after discharge. Eligibility depends on the duration of service, and for some people also on age and total insurance record.
For disability
A disability pension is awarded if the disability arose during service or no later than three months after discharge, and also later if it was caused by wounds or an illness related to service. The amount depends on the disability group and on whether a causal link with the defence of the Motherland has been established.
In connection with the loss of a breadwinner
Such a pension is received by dependent, incapacitated family members of a deceased or fallen serviceman or military pensioner who were maintained by them. These include children, parents and the wife or husband under conditions specified by law.
The main parameters of all three types are summarised in the table. Percentages are calculated from the monetary allowance taken into account according to the rules of article 43 of Law No. 2262-XII.
| Type | Who receives it | Calculation base | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| For length of service | Officers, contract soldiers, managerial staff | 50% of the monetary allowance for 20 years of service, +3% for each year over 20 | 25 years of service at any age or 45 years of age and 25 years of record, of which 12.5 are military service |
| Under mixed service | Released due to age, health condition, staff reductions | 50% for 25 years of record, +1% for each full year over 25 | Age from 45 years, insurance record from 25 years |
| For disability | Servicemen with a service-related disability | Disability due to war: 100% / 80% / 60%; for other reasons: 70% / 60% / 40% | Disability during service or within 3 months after discharge |
| Loss of a breadwinner | Incapacitated family members | 70% of the monetary allowance of the breadwinner for each family member, in some cases 50% | Death during service or as a result of wounds or illness related to service |
Pension for length of service: conditions
The conditions for awarding a pension for length of service are set out in article 12 of Law No. 2262-XII. For those dismissed from 1 October 2020 the service requirements no longer change annually and amount to 25 calendar years.
Calendar and privileged service
Calendar service covers the actual time of service, while privileged service allows certain periods to be credited at an increased rate. For example, participation in combat operations is counted on the basis of one month of service for every three months served.
Mixed service
If 25 years of service has not been completed, a pension can be obtained on the basis of mixed service. For this the person must have been discharged due to age, health condition or staff reductions, be at least 45 years old and have at least 25 years of insurance record, of which not less than 12 years and 6 months is military service.
Age and service length
If the full 25 years of service have been completed, age does not matter, so one can retire at 43 or 45. Age becomes a condition only for mixed service, while for persons with a war-related disability the law allows a pension on mixed-service terms regardless of age.
How the size of a military pension is calculated
The size of a military pension depends on two factors: the amount of the monetary allowance and the percentage determined by service length or disability group. Therefore, with the same length of service pensions differ because of positions and ranks.
Monetary allowance as the base
The monetary allowance included for pension calculation comprises the position salary, salary for military rank, percentage supplement for length of service, as well as monthly additional types of monetary allowance and bonuses from which the single contribution was paid. The sums are confirmed by a certificate of monetary allowance prepared by the military unit or other authorised body.
Percentage of the monetary allowance
For 20 years’ service the law sets 50% of the monetary allowance, and for persons released due to age or health condition 55%. For each year over 20 an additional 3% is added, so for the current minimum 25 years of service the pension amounts to 65% or 70%. Under mixed service, 50% is charged for 25 years of record and 1% for each full year over that limit.
Example: an officer with a monetary allowance of 20 000 UAH and 25 years’ service was discharged at his own request. His pension will be 50% plus 5 years at 3% each, i.e. 65%, or 13 000 UAH per month before accounting for allowances.
Maximum limits
A pension for length of service cannot exceed 70% of the monetary allowance. In addition, there is a general limit on the maximum pension of 10 subsistence minimums for persons who have lost capacity to work, which in 2026 is 25 950 UAH. During martial law special payment rules apply to amounts exceeding this limit.
Indexation and recalculations in 2026
Military pensions change in two ways: through annual indexation and through recalculation in the event of an increase in the monetary allowance of serving servicemen. These mechanisms are independent of each other.
+12,1% from 1 March 2026
From 1 March 2026 the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) automatically indexed pensions for length of service, for disability and in connection with the loss of a breadwinner that were awarded under Law No. 2262-XII up to 31 December 2025. Only the basic pension amount increased by 12,1%, excluding allowances, supplements and other payments. The increase cannot be less than 100 UAH and not more than 2 595 UAH.
Recalculation when the monetary allowance changes
Article 63 of Law No. 2262-XII provides for the recalculation of pensions in case of a change in the monetary allowance of servicemen, but it occurs on the basis of a decision by the Cabinet of Ministers. The last mass recalculation was carried out in 2018, when increases were paid in stages and fully from 1 January 2020. If a pensioner submitted documents entitling them to a higher pension, back payment for past time is made for no more than 12 months.
Court cases on recalculations
Some pensioners seek recalculation through the courts, in particular regarding payments not reflected in the certificate. The outcome of such cases depends on the specific circumstances and evidence, so before filing a suit it is worth obtaining a written refusal or a pension calculation from the PFU authority.
Procedure for awarding a military pension
Documents for a military pension are prepared in accordance with the Procedure approved by the PFU board resolution of 30.01.2007 No. 3-1. The main difference from a civil pension is that career servicemen submit the application not directly to the Fund but through an authorised body.
Where to submit documents
Dismissed servicemen and their families submit an application through the authorised body of the ministry or agency where they served. Conscripts and their families apply directly to the territorial authority of the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU), in person or via the PFU electronic services web portal.
The role of the military recruitment office/territorial centre
For the Ministry of Defence the authorised body is usually the territorial centre of recruitment and social support (TCRC). The stages of processing are as follows:
- Obtain the discharge order and calculation of length of service at the military unit.
- Contact the TCRC or other authorised body at the place of residence with an application.
- Submit a passport, taxpayer registration number (RNOKPP), documents on service record and bank account details.
- Wait for the authorised body to obtain the certificate of monetary allowance and forward the documents to the PFU.
- Check the decision on pension award and the first payment on the PFU web portal.
Time limits
A pension for length of service is awarded from the day following the day of discharge from service, but not earlier than the day up to which monetary allowance has been paid. If some documents are missing at the time of application, the application is accepted with those available and the rest must be submitted within three months.
How to appeal a decision on a military pension
Disputes most often arise due to refusal, incorrect calculation of service length or an incomplete certificate. A decision can be appealed administratively or through the courts.
Complaint to the PFU
The decision of the territorial authority can be appealed to the main PFU office in the oblast or to the Pension Fund of Ukraine. The complaint should include a copy of the decision, the pension calculation and documents the applicant believes were not taken into account.
Request regarding the certificate of monetary allowance
If the problem concerns the sums of the monetary allowance, the PFU does not change them on its own because it works from the authorised body’s certificate. In that case a request is written to the military unit or TCRC asking for a corrected certificate with all types of payments included.
Claim to court
A decision of the PFU or actions of the authorised body are appealed to the district administrative court. The general limitation period for filing is 6 months from the day when the person knew or should have known about the violation of their rights.
Frequently asked questions
Can one receive both a military and a civil pension?
As a general rule a person entitled to several pensions receives one of their choice. The law provides exceptions for certain categories, so you should clarify your right to two pensions with the PFU authority.
How does work affect a military pension?
Working in a civil position does not reduce the military pension, and restrictions for certain positions were declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court in 2016. If a military pensioner is called up for service during mobilisation, pension payments are not suspended, and after a subsequent discharge the pension is recalculated taking the new service into account.
Are military pensions indexed every year?
Yes, military pensions are indexed annually from 1 March together with other pensions, but only the basic amount. Allowances, increases and supplements are not indexed, and recalculation due to a change in monetary allowance occurs only by a separate government decision.
