Preferential Pension for Blast Furnace Water System Operators under List No. 1

Retirement usually involves collecting and submitting a number of documents. The number and type of documents required depend on the type of pension a person is applying for.

For example, a regular old-age pension may be granted upon reaching the age of 60 and having at least 28 years of insurance record (as of 2021). However, certain categories of workers may qualify for retirement at an earlier age. These occupations include, among others, blast furnace water system operators.

A blast furnace water system operator is responsible for maintaining cooling equipment and water supply systems, as well as the hot and cold blast equipment of blast furnaces. Their duties include cleaning cooling units, water supply filters, throttle units, tuyere openings, valves on tuyere elbow covers, nozzles and burners used to supply fuel oil and natural gas to the blast furnace; replacing tuyere openings, nozzles, burners and high-pressure pump seals; sealing equipment; and participating in the replacement of tuyeres, tuyere openings and cooling devices.

Due to the difficult and hazardous nature of the work performed by blast furnace water system operators and other occupations covered by the preferential lists, the retirement age for such workers is reduced to 50 years. Men generally need at least 25 years of total insurance record, including at least 10 years of employment in a qualifying occupation. Women generally need at least 20 years of total insurance record, including at least 7 years and 6 months of qualifying employment.

The procedure for obtaining a preferential pension is naturally more complicated than applying for a regular old-age pension. This is because early retirement requires confirmation that the person performed work under particularly harmful or particularly difficult conditions covered by List No. 1.

As a rule, the necessary information can be found in the employee’s employment record book. However, in certain circumstances, it may be necessary to obtain and submit additional certificates confirming periods and conditions of employment. In practice, the Pension Fund of Ukraine may sometimes require such certificates even where there are no deficiencies in the employment record book. If the applicant is unable to provide the requested certificate, the Pension Fund may refuse to grant the pension.

If you find yourself in such a situation, we recommend carefully analysing the Pension Fund’s decision refusing to grant the pension and seeking professional legal advice.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly considered cases involving refusals to grant preferential pensions due to the absence of additional employment certificates. The relevant case law generally provides that where entries in an employment record book are sufficient to confirm the harmful or difficult nature of employment under List No. 1, requiring an additional certificate may violate the rights of the future pensioner. Consequently, a refusal to grant a pension solely on this basis may be unlawful.

In any event, a refusal by the Pension Fund does not necessarily mean that the right to an early pension has been lost. It is important to act promptly and consult a qualified pension lawyer who can assess the documents, determine whether the refusal is lawful and recommend the most appropriate course of action for your particular case.