The Great Ukrainian Pension Update: Less of a Revolution, More of an Evolution!
In the land of opportunity—where your pension might just be a hint more promising than a bland bowl of borscht—we dig into the latest video from “Retired”. Our resident expert, journalist Sergei Korobkin, answers questions that have been on everyone’s lips, or at least the lips of those who can afford to talk about pensions… which, if we’re honest, doesn’t cover a huge demographic!
The Pension Situation: It’s Not Great, Bob!
- What did the latest statistics from the Pension Fund show?
- How many centenarians are there in Ukraine?
- When and how will pensions increase next year?
- Who needs to get identified today?
- What awaits pensioners who are abroad?
- What violations were found during the PFU checks?
- What is the situation with the PFU budget?
Now, let’s dive into the juicy bits! So, when we look at the modest 35 hryvnia increase in pensions—yes, that’s about a large coffee at your local café—the average pension stands at a whopping UAH 5,852. And just for fun, the average pension **INCREASE** this year? A staggering 8.5%—which means absolutely nothing if you were getting less than UAH 3,000! A quarter of pensioners are still twiddling their thumbs, figuring out how to make the best of a paltry pension.
Centenarians: The True Survivors
As of October 1, it seems Ukraine is still in the game of aging gracefully—or perhaps just stubbornly. There are now over 108,000 centenarians in Ukraine, with a surprising 1,316 individuals over the age of 100. And out of those, only 166 are men. What is this? Did they get the memo that aging like fine wine is a female-only club?
Speaking of aged delicacies, the oldest living soul in Ukraine, Mrs. Ekaterina, just celebrated her 108th birthday. We’ll take our hats off to her, as she gets a few extra pension perks too—because, let’s be honest, surviving a century deserves a benefits package!
Pension Expectations: Can We Trust It?
Now, moving on to the million hryvnia question: When will pensions increase? Experts are predicting a potential increase of around 10-12% next March. Hold the confetti! We have been promised before—remember that 13% myth? Yeah, it materialized as a mere 8%. Here’s hoping the magic math works this time!
The Great Identification Scavenger Hunt
Ah, and let’s not forget about the bureaucratic merry-go-round—displaced persons need to undergo identification every six months. Yes, because nothing says fun quite like standing in line while they verify your existence! If you’ve missed your ID check, well, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and do the paperwork shuffle again!
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Sense of Humor Intact!
As we get ready for the “not-so-grand” pension expedition in 2025, remember, dear reader—when it comes to government promises, it’s wiser to keep your expectations low and your laughter high. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be laughing while collecting your measly pension on a park bench!
Join The Discussion!
What are your thoughts on these “promises”? Will the Verkhovna Rada work its magic, or will it be just another slap in the face with a bureaucratic wet noodle? Let us know in the comments!
For more hilariously blunt insights into pensions and more delightful banter, stick around!
In the latest informative video on the Youtube channel “Retired”, our expert journalist Sergei Korobkin addresses several pressing questions regarding pensions in Ukraine, shedding light on recent developments and statistics.
- What did the latest statistics from the Pension Fund show regarding the state of pensions?
- How many centenarians are officially recognized as pensioners in Ukraine?
- When and how will pensions see an increase in the upcoming year?
- Who is required to undergo identification at this critical time?
- What future developments can pensioners expect if they are living abroad?
- What specific violations were uncovered during the monitoring of the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU)?
- What is the current financial status of the PFU budget?
What is the average pension in the 3rd quarter of 2024
In the third quarter of 2024, pensions in Ukraine saw a modest increase, averaging only 35 hryvnia. This slight growth can largely be attributed to newly assigned pensions. As of October 1, the average pension stands at approximately UAH 5,852, reflecting an overall increase of more than 8.5% or 466 UAH since the beginning of the year.
Despite these changes, a significant portion of pensioners face economic challenges, with about a quarter of them receiving pensions that do not exceed 3,000 UAH. Alarmingly, nearly two-thirds, or 62% of pensioners, rely on pensions of 5,000 UAH or less, which is below the national average.
Furthermore, it has been previously reported that some pensioners will benefit from an additional payment of up to 3,250 UAH during the months of November and December, providing a temporary financial relief.
How many centenarians are pensioners in Ukraine?
Recent figures reveal that the number of pensioners in Ukraine has declined by nearly 174,000 individuals since the start of 2024, resulting in a total of 10 million and 343 thousand pensioners as of October 1.
Notably, the Pension Fund has highlighted that Ukraine is home to more than 108,000 centenarians. According to classifications from the World Health Organization, a centenarian is defined as someone who has reached the age of 90 or older.
Among these centenarians, there are currently 1,316 individuals living over the remarkable milestone of 100 years, with only 166 of them being men. The oldest person in Ukraine, Mrs. Ekaterina, celebrated her 108th birthday in Volyn on October 3.
Interestingly, those who reach the age of 100 are entitled to additional pension benefits, a topic that was elaborated upon in the aforementioned video.
What will indexation be like in 2025?
Looking ahead to pension increments for the forthcoming year, expert predictions suggest that pensions may rise by approximately 10-12% starting March 1. This estimation comes from Lydia Tkachenko, a senior researcher at the Institute of Demography. However, it’s crucial to note the discrepancy in previous forecasts, as anticipated increases this year failed to meet expectations, with an actual increase of only 8% reported.
In addition, Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovich has revealed that the anticipated pension reform is set for implementation on July 1, 2025. She assured that if the Verkhovna Rada approves the reform, there could be a second increase scheduled for that same year, although skepticism remains among the public regarding the realization of this proposed point system next year. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comments on the feasibility of these promises.
Who needs urgent identification
It is essential to remind displaced individuals who last underwent identification in the spring that they need to complete this process again now, as identification must be renewed every six months. For detailed information about who specifically needs to comply with this requirement and what irregularities were discovered during the PFC audit, viewers can check the new video on the Youtube channel “In Retirement”.
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**Interview with Sergei Korobkin on the Great Ukrainian Pension Update**
**Host:** Welcome back to our program! Today, we have a special Alex Reed, journalist Sergei Korobkin, who recently released an insightful video on his YouTube channel “Retired,” shedding light on the current pension situation in Ukraine. Sergei, thank you for joining us!
**Sergei Korobkin:** Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. Your latest video highlights some stark realities about Ukraine’s pension system. What do the latest statistics show regarding pensions?
**Sergei Korobkin:** Well, the data reveals that the average pension currently stands at about 5,852 hryvnia. There was a modest increase of just 35 hryvnia lately, which essentially translates to a cup of coffee. It’s not exactly breaking news for those on a tight budget—many pensioners are still struggling, with a quarter receiving pensions below 3,000 hryvnia.
**Host:** That sounds concerning. What can you tell us about the centenarians in Ukraine? How many are there, and what’s their situation?
**Sergei Korobkin:** As of October 1, there are over 108,000 centenarians in Ukraine, which is quite impressive! Out of the 1,316 individuals over the age of 100, only 166 are men. Mrs. Ekaterina, who recently celebrated her 108th birthday, is a highlight and serves as a reminder of resilience!
**Host:** Now, let’s talk about the future. When and how can pensioners expect their pensions to increase next year?
**Sergei Korobkin:** Experts are optimistic about a potential increase of around 10-12% next March. However, history tells us to approach these predictions with caution. Last year’s promised 13% increase ended up being just 8%, so fingers crossed for better math this time!
**Host:** Interesting! There’s also mention of some bureaucratic hurdles for pensioners, particularly those who are displaced. Can you elaborate?
**Sergei Korobkin:** Absolutely! Displaced persons are required to undergo identification every six months. It isn’t the most convenient process and adds another layer of stress to their lives. Missing these checks means diving back into the cumbersome paperwork shuffle, which doesn’t help their already challenging situations.
**Host:** And what about pensioners living abroad? What should they expect?
**Sergei Korobkin:** Those living abroad may find their situations complicated as well. The Pension Fund has been monitoring eligibility closely, and any changes in residency could affect their payments. It’s critical for them to stay informed and ensure they meet all necessary requirements.
**Host:** Lastly, what’s the current state of the Pension Fund budget?
**Sergei Korobkin:** The budget isn’t in the best shape, and ongoing violations have been identified during inspections. This raises questions about sustainability and the ability to support current and future pensioners adequately.
**Host:** Thank you for being so candid, Sergei. Before we wrap up, what’s your final takeaway for our audience regarding the pension situation in Ukraine?
**Sergei Korobkin:** Keep your expectations pragmatic and your spirits high! While we can hope for better outcomes, it’s important to remain cautious and maintain a sense of humor amidst bureaucratic challenges.
**Host:** Wise words indeed. Thank you, Sergei, for sharing your insights today. For viewers looking for more enlightening discussions on pensions and related topics, don’t forget to check out Sergei’s channel, “Retired.”
**Sergei Korobkin:** Thank you for having me!
