What is a survivor's pension and how to apply for it?
As a result of the full-scale war, more and more families in Ukraine are losing family members who provided for their well-being - breadwinners - killed or missing. In such cases, families are entitled to state support and can apply for a survivor's pension to help meet their basic needs in a difficult period of life.
The survivor's pension is an important support for family members who have lost a breadwinner.
Who can be granted a survivor`s pension?
In particular, family members who are unable to work and who were dependent on the deceased breadwinner are entitled to a survivor's pension i.e.:
- children are entitled to pensions regardless of whether their dependance on the breadwinner.
- the parents and spouse of the deceased who were not dependent on him/her are also entitled to a pension if they subsequently lost their source of livelihood.
What is the length of the pension granting?
The pension is granted for the entire period during which a family member of the deceased breadwinner is considered unable to work (for example, children will be granted a pension until they turn 18), and family members who have reached retirement age will receive a pension for life.
What are the peculiarities of pension payments?
A pension is granted to all family members who are entitled to such a pension. At the same time, at the request of a family member a separate share may be allocated from total pension amount, and paid individually.
When is the pension granted?
A survivor's pension may be granted in the case of:
What is the amount of the pension?
Minimum amount of the survivor's pension
The amount of the survivor's pension directly depends on the number of dependent family members who are unable to work:
In this case, as a general rule, the survivor's pension will depend on the amount of the old-age pension to which the deceased breadwinner would have been entitled:
- 50% of the old-age pension for one family member;
- 100% of the old-age pension for two or more family members.
Survivor's pensions for family members of deceased/dead servicemen and women
A pension is granted if the breadwinner:
- died/was killed during the period of service or not later than three months after discharge from service or later than this period, but as a result of an injury, traumatic brain injury, mutilation or disease sustained during the period of service;
- was a "military" pensioner at the time of his death.
The amount of the pension depends on the cause of the breadwinner's death:
If the breadwinner died/was killed while performing military service, the pension is granted:
- in the amount of 70% of the cash benefit for one family member;
- in the amount of 50% of the pension benefit for each family member if two or more persons are entitled to a pension.
If the breadwinner died as a result of an accident:
- The pension is calculated at 30% of the breadwinner's allowance.
! Please note that the survivor's pension for family members of deceased/dead servicemen cannot be less than two times the subsistence minimum for people who have lost their ability to work, namely UAH 4,722 (in 2025).
How to apply for a survivor's pension?
Currently, you can apply for a pension in Ukraine fully online using only the web portal of the Pension Fund of Ukraine and the Diia.Signature. To do this, you need to:
🔗 Useful links:
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our lawyers for advice. We are always here to help.
