Work in Poland can count towards pension experience in Ukraine: what you need to do

For Ukrainians who have officially worked in Poland, this period can help them obtain the right to a pension in Ukraine. This is especially important for those who do not have enough Ukrainian insurance experience. However, Polish experience must be officially confirmed – it is not automatically counted.

The procedure for taking such experience into account is determined by the Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland on Social Security dated May 18, 2012, which entered into force on January 1, 2014.

When will Polish experience be counted in Ukraine

The main principle of the agreement is that when determining the right to a pension, insurance periods acquired in Ukraine and Poland can be summed up.

For example, if a person does not have enough insurance experience acquired in Ukraine to be assigned a Ukrainian pension, the Pension Fund can take into account confirmed insurance periods in Poland.

At the same time, each country is responsible for pension rights formed during the period of work on its territory.

Will working in Poland increase the size of the Ukrainian pension

An important nuance: Polish insurance experience can help to obtain the right to a Ukrainian pension, but will not increase its Ukrainian part by itself.

The size of the pension assigned by Ukraine is calculated in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and based on the insurance periods acquired in Ukraine.

That is, the experience in Poland is primarily important in a situation where a person does not have enough years of insurance to be assigned a pension.

How to confirm insurance experience from Poland

In order for the periods of work in Poland to be taken into account, it is necessary to go through an official confirmation procedure.

To do this, you need to contact the territorial body of the Pension Fund of Ukraine at the place of residence and provide documents confirming work in Poland.

Based on the documents received, the Ukrainian side draws up the appropriate communication form and sends it to the Polish side.

What document confirms Polish experience

The key document is the PL-UA 6 form. It is issued by the Polish Social Insurance Office – ZUS.

It is in this document that the Polish side confirms the periods of insurance experience of a person in Poland.

After receiving a response from ZUS, the Pension Fund of Ukraine will be able to take into account the confirmed periods when determining the right to a pension.

What is important for Ukrainians to know

Thus, Ukrainians who have officially worked in Poland for some time should not ignore this period when applying for a pension.

It may be especially important for people who do not have several years of Ukrainian insurance experience to meet the requirements established by law.

At the same time, it is necessary to distinguish between two things: the right to a pension and its amount. Polish experience can be taken into account for acquiring the right to a Ukrainian pension, while its Ukrainian part will be calculated according to the rules and insurance experience of Ukraine.