Military Survivor’s Pension for a Widow in Ukraine
In this article, we will explain how a widow can obtain a survivor’s pension after the death of a military serviceman. It is important to distinguish between situations where the serviceman died after retirement and where he died as a result of performing his military duties, as the conditions for granting the pension and the amount of payments may differ significantly.
Under Ukrainian legislation, certain family members of a deceased serviceman may be entitled to a military survivor’s pension. In particular, such entitlement may apply to the parents and spouse of the deceased if they have reached the statutory age or are persons with disabilities. In cases provided for by law, the length of their own insurance record does not determine their entitlement to this type of pension.
The amount of a survivor’s pension depends on the circumstances of the serviceman’s death, the category of the eligible family member and other conditions established by Ukrainian legislation. Therefore, when applying for a pension, it is important to establish not only the fact of the serviceman’s death but also its connection with military service and the performance of official duties.
Special rules apply where a military serviceman died while performing his official duties or where his death is otherwise legally connected with the performance of military service.
In such cases, the parents and spouse of the deceased serviceman may acquire the right to a survivor’s pension under preferential age requirements established by law and irrespective of the duration of their insurance record, provided that the other statutory conditions are satisfied.
Entitlement may also depend on whether the relevant family member belongs to one of the categories entitled to an early or preferential old-age pension under Ukrainian legislation. Such categories may include:
– persons entitled to a miner’s pension;
– persons entitled to an early old-age pension;
– persons entitled to an old-age pension on preferential terms;
– persons entitled to a pension with a reduced retirement age.
Where the serviceman’s death is connected with the performance of military duties, the amount of the survivor’s pension for the widow or other eligible family members is determined under special rules established by Ukrainian legislation. The applicable percentage depends on the category and number of eligible family members.
Special provisions also apply where two or more children of the deceased serviceman are entitled to a survivor’s pension. In such cases, the pension is calculated and distributed among the eligible children in accordance with the rules established by law.
The statutory minimum and maximum amounts of a military survivor’s pension are applied separately to each eligible disabled family member.
When applying for a survivor’s pension, particular attention should be paid to documents confirming the circumstances and cause of the serviceman’s death, his military status, the relationship between the applicant and the deceased, and the applicant’s entitlement to pension benefits. Errors or missing documents may result in the Pension Fund refusing to grant the pension or calculating it incorrectly.
Unfortunately, applications for survivor’s pensions for families of deceased military servicemen have become increasingly relevant in Ukraine. If you need assistance with determining your entitlement, preparing documents, applying to the Pension Fund or challenging a refusal, you can contact our “Pension Center”. Our pension lawyers can analyse your situation and assist you throughout the pension application process.
