In Ukraine, citizens who do not have enough insurance experience to retire can officially buy it. As explained by the Pension Fund of Ukraine, this can be done by concluding an agreement on voluntary payment of insurance contributions. At the same time, experts advise not to postpone this decision until the last moment, because over time such an opportunity can be much more expensive.
As of today, the retirement age in Ukraine is 60 years, but the key condition for taking a well-deserved rest is the presence of the necessary insurance experience. In 2026, it should be at least 33 years, and by 2028 this bar will increase to 35 years. Due to widespread shadow employment or breaks in official employment, many Ukrainians do not have sufficient experience.
It is possible to buy it, but the economic feasibility of such a step depends on the situation. The minimum insurance contribution is 22% of the minimum wage. At the current level of the minimum wage of UAH 8,647, this is approximately UAH 1,902 per month or about UAH 23,000 per year. At the same time, if the length of service is purchased “retroactively” immediately before retirement, the amount of contributions doubles — to more than UAH 45,000 per year.
It is worth considering that such contributions only ensure the crediting of the length of service, but almost do not affect the size of the future pension, since they are paid at the minimum level.
Experts emphasize that purchasing additional service makes sense only when several months or a maximum of a year are missing. If it is a longer period, it is more advisable to either continue working or exercise the right to retire at 63 or 65 years of age, when the requirements for insurance service are lower.
Thus, the decision to purchase additional service requires a balanced approach — taking into account the cost, time, and real benefit for the future pensioner.
