Retirement age
Starting March 1, pensions and insurance payments for millions of Ukrainians will be indexed by 12. 1%. This increase exceeds the inflation rate and will cover almost all major types of pensions.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine allocated financial resources to military units on February 25. Payments of additional funds for January 2026 to servicemen will begin tomorrow.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill regulating the social, labor, and pension rights of military personnel. The law ensures return to work, financial assistance after conscription, and additional guarantees for those released from captivity.
Minister of Social Policy Denys Uliutin stated that almost 22% of Ukrainians are over 65 years old, making Ukraine one of the 30 countries with the oldest population. The Ministry of Social Policy is developing the "Active Longevity" initiative to support the activity and integration of older people.
Ukraine received a grant of $690 million from Japan and Canada under the G7's ERA mechanism. The funds will be used to finance priority expenditures, including pensions and social programs.
Minister of Education Oksen Lisovyi announced that teachers in six communities did not receive their salary supplements due to technical reasons. The problem will be resolved at the community level in the near future.
Minister of Social Policy Denys Uliutin stated that a pension of 6,000 hryvnias will be available after a comprehensive pension reform. The draft law provides for a guaranteed basic old-age payment, which cannot be lower than 6,000 hryvnias.
Germany's largest airline, Lufthansa, canceled about 800 flights due to a strike by pilots and flight attendants, affecting about 100,000 passengers. The reason for the strike was demands regarding pension provisions and other labor claims of the staff.
In Ukraine, the procedure for physical identification of pensioners has been reinstated, which has caused discussions due to the suspension of payments to hundreds of thousands of people. This procedure, which was in effect before the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to prevent fraud and double payments, especially for those in occupied territories or abroad.
The collaboration between Ukrposhta and Rikky Hype for Valentine's Day caused outrage due to a photo of a schoolgirl in a short skirt. The CEO of Ukrposhta admitted the mistake and terminated the cooperation, Rikky Hype deleted the photo.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the budget of the Pension Fund of Ukraine for 2026 with revenues and expenditures of UAH 1. 26 trillion. This is 23.2% more than last year and takes into account the indexation of pensions and insurance payments.
Starting from March 1, 2026, minimum pension payments for families of fallen and missing defenders in Ukraine will increase. Payments for a disabled family member will be at least UAH 12,810, and for families with two or more members, at least UAH 10,020 per person.
The Verkhovna Rada plans to extend the deadline for physical identification for pensioners until July 2026. This decision was made due to long queues and the suspension of payments for some citizens.
The demographic situation in Russia is deteriorating, creating risks for the economy and stability. By 2040, the country could become a "society of elderly people," where the median resident will be a woman aged 50-55.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets announced the unblocking of pensions after his appeal to the Minister of Social Policy. Payments, according to him, were suspended due to Resolution No. 299.
The pension reform proposed by government officials in Ukraine envisages a transition to a point-based system, separate budget financing for special pensions, and the launch of a funded tier, but its success depends on realistic calculations, the budget's ability to cover increased expenditures, and public trust amid demographic and wartime risks.
Since January, a single electronic address for appeals to the military ombudsman has been operating in Ukraine. Servicemen and their families can submit complaints by email or through the website.
Loud statements and heated discussions - pension reform is being discussed in Ukraine. The biggest promises, for example, a minimum pension of UAH 6,000 for everyone, run into a budget ceiling, and real levers of stabilization run into what is always unpopular: economic growth, de-shadowing through the business climate, and political capacity to implement unpleasant decisions. What awaits pension reform in the near future.
According to a Publicus Institute poll, 48% of decided voters support the Tisza party, while 40% are ready to vote for Fidesz. Thus, the opposition maintains an eight percentage point lead.
The Group III disability pension in 2026 is granted after disability is established, provided the necessary insurance period is met. It is calculated as 50% of the old-age pension (or, at the applicant's choice, may equal it if there is sufficient service). It can be applied for online or offline through the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) by submitting basic documents, and if necessary, it is topped up to the subsistence minimum.
The Ministry of Social Policy stated that information about the mass cancellation of pensions for over a million citizens is fake. Payments have been suspended only for 337,000 people who have not undergone identification or have not provided data on the absence of payments from the Russian Federation.
In Ukraine, the average pension is UAH 6,544, which is 13% more than a year ago. However, every fifth pensioner receives about UAH 4,500.
The Hungarian government has launched a campaign to collect signatures against EU funding for Ukraine, arguing that it threatens to impoverish Hungarians. The campaign is unfolding ahead of elections where Orbán's party could lose its lead.
NASA astronaut Suni Williams has retired after 27 years of service, having spent 608 days in space and setting a record among women. Her last mission on Starliner lasted nine months due to technical malfunctions, instead of the planned week.
China's population decreased by 3. 39 million in 2025, reaching 1.405 billion, while the birth rate fell to 7.92 million, an all-time low. The death rate rose to 11.31 million, the highest since 1968.
The General Inspectorate of the Prosecutor General's Office is investigating a case regarding the possible seizure of property and the entry of false information by a former regional prosecutor. This concerns the circumstances of the registration of a disability pension and its amount.
A 74-year-old pensioner in Kyiv gave more than UAH 1. 4 million to fraudsters who introduced themselves as SBU employees. They promised to check her savings for involvement in the aggressor country.
Numerous ice rinks are available in Kyiv, including "Winter Country at VDNH", "Crystal Ice Rink" and the futuristic arena at Cosmo Multimall shopping center. These locations offer both outdoor and indoor venues for winter entertainment.
The Prosecutor General's Office liquidated a network of fake rehabilitation centers in Dnipropetrovsk region. 287 people were released, including seven children, who were held without licenses and permits.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a number of draft laws concerning economy and defense. Among them are the creation of financial inclusion banks, the extension of special operating rules for "Pivdenmash", and the introduction of bank taxation.