From 22 October 2026 pensioners who are internally displaced persons (IDPs) receive their pension on the same grounds as all other pensioners. The new Law “On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Internally Displaced Persons” No. 4924-IX prohibits imposing additional conditions on IDPs for the designation, payment or recalculation of pensions. As a result, separate identification of displaced people and checks for payments from the Russian Federation for those who left the occupied areas are cancelled.
At the same time, some requirements remain. Pensioners abroad and those in temporarily occupied territories (TOT) must complete identification by 31 December 2026, and residents of TOT must still confirm that they do not receive payments from the Russian Federation.
What changes for pensioner-IDPs from 22 October 2026
Cancellation of mandatory physical identification
Previously displaced pensioners underwent periodic physical identification at Oschadbank or at the bodies of the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) under Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (CMU) resolution No. 637. The new law explicitly states that pension provision conditions for IDPs cannot include additional or different requirements and procedures from the general procedure. Therefore, separate identification solely on the basis of displaced-person status no longer has a legal basis.
Cancellation of checks for payments from the Russian Federation
At the start of 2026 about 337,000 pensioners were omitted from payment lists because they had not completed identification or had not informed the PFU that they did not receive a pension from the Russian Federation. For people who moved from the occupied areas to government-controlled territory this requirement is now cancelled and they no longer need to prove the absence of Russian payments.
Entry into force
The Verkhovna Rada adopted Law No. 4924-IX on 1 July 2026, and it was officially published on 22 July. The document comes into force three months later, on 22 October 2026. The government must bring its resolutions into line with the law.
It is convenient to divide the requirements into two groups. Here is what changes for a pensioner with an IDP certificate:
- cancelled: mandatory physical identification based on IDP status;
- cancelled: confirmation of not receiving a pension from the Russian Federation for those who left TOT;
- remains: being registered as an IDP;
- remains: obligation to inform the PFU of circumstances affecting payment;
- remains: monitoring of movements of funds on the pension account.
Which requirements for displaced people remain
IDP certificate
IDP status does not disappear, and the IDP record remains a basis for other types of support. The new law introduces extracts from the Unified Information Database on IDPs in paper or electronic form, and previously issued IDP certificates remain valid.
Account activity
The general rule for all pensioners applies: if no one withdraws the pension for more than six consecutive months, payments may be suspended. It is therefore advisable to use the card regularly.
Informing the PFU about changes
A pensioner is still obliged to inform the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) about circumstances that affect payment, including a change of place of residence or departure abroad. Under the new law, a displaced person must notify of a change of actual residence within 30 calendar days. Late notification may lead to an overpayment that will have to be returned.
How IDPs differ from pensioners abroad and in TOT
Identification by 31.12.2026 for other categories
Pensioners living abroad or in TOT must undergo identification each year by 31 December. Methods include: the PFU online account with Diia.Signature, a videoconference, a PFU service centre or a bank, and abroad a certificate from a diplomatic mission confirming that the person is alive. The Law on IDPs does not change this procedure.
Confirmation of not receiving Russian pensions for TOT
Pensioners who remain on occupied territory must still inform the PFU that they do not receive pension or insurance payments from the Russian Federation. The note is made on the PFU web portal, during video identification or in a written application. If the declaration has already been submitted, it need only be repeated if circumstances change.
Who falls into which category
The table below will help quickly determine your category. A displaced person who lives abroad must meet the requirements for pensioners abroad.
| Requirement | Before 22.10.2026 | After 22.10.2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Physical identification of IDPs on government-controlled territory | Mandatory | Cancelled |
| Confirmation of not receiving a pension from the Russian Federation (left TOT) | Mandatory | Cancelled |
| Identification of pensioners abroad and in TOT | By 31 December each year | By 31.12.2026, unchanged |
| Confirmation of not receiving a pension from the Russian Federation (living in TOT) | Mandatory | Remains |
| IDP certificate | Paper or electronic | Electronic extract, previously issued certificates remain valid |
How to reinstate a suspended IDP pension
Reasons for suspension before the changes
The most common reasons for suspension were failure to complete identification or failure to notify the PFU about not receiving a pension from the Russian Federation. Another common reason was that funds in the account showed no activity for over six months.
Application to reinstate
As of mid-October 2026 the PFU had not yet announced whether it will reinstate payments to displaced people automatically. It is therefore safer to submit an application for reinstatement via the PFU web portal or at a service centre, providing up-to-date account details. The steps are as follows:
- log in to your PFU account and check the reason for suspension;
- submit an application for reinstatement online or in person;
- if necessary, complete identification if you live abroad or in TOT;
- monitor the status of your request in the account.
Payment for the past period
After reinstatement, the pension is paid for the period of suspension. As a general rule, unpaid amounts are paid for no more than three years prior to the application.
How to check your status and payments
PFU account
The most information is available on the PFU electronic services web portal or the “Pension Fund of Ukraine” app. In the “My identification” section you can see the date and method of the last check, and messages from the fund appear in the notifications.
Diia
The Diia app is primarily needed for Diia.Signature, which is used to log in to the PFU account. You can also check IDP registration data there and obtain an electronic extract.
Contact centre
If you cannot figure it out yourself, call the PFU toll-free helpline 0 800 503 753. An operator will explain the reason for the suspension. If the payment is not reinstated after contacting them, submit a written complaint to the main PFU office in your region.
Frequently asked questions
Do IDPs need to complete identification by the end of the year?
If a displaced person lives on government-controlled territory, a separate identification based on IDP status is not required from 22 October. If they have left the country, the general requirement to complete identification by 31 December 2026 applies.
Will pensions be reinstated automatically?
The PFU has not yet announced an official automatic reinstatement mechanism. It is more reliable to submit an application for reinstatement via your PFU account or at a service centre.
Is an IDP certificate required for a pension?
Pensions are assigned on general grounds, so IDP status is not a condition for receiving one. A certificate or electronic extract is required for other support programmes for displaced people.
