Due to the full-scale war, millions of Ukrainians were forced to go abroad in search of protection. A significant part of these people are pensioners who find themselves in an extremely difficult situation, because they need not only to adapt to life in a new country, but also to solve the issue of receiving pension payments.
For pensioners who remain dependent on the Ukrainian social security system, it is important to understand how to correctly pass identification, avoid termination of payments and ensure income stability even abroad.
The main difficulties of pensioners abroad
Ukrainian pensions continue to be credited to accounts in Ukrainian banks. However, if the funds are not withdrawn within a year, the bank informs the Pension Fund about this, and payments are stopped. In order to restore them, the pensioner must personally submit an application to the Pension Fund body.
From June 23, 2024, new rules began to apply, according to which pensioners abroad are required to undergo annual physical identification by December 31. This is defined in the Law of Ukraine No. 3674-IX. In case of non-fulfillment of this requirement, payments are suspended, and the funds are sent for postal delivery to the pensioner’s place of registration in Ukraine.
Lack of mechanisms for pensioners abroad
For in words According to Dmytro Lubinets, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers has not yet approved the mechanisms that would ensure the payment of pensions to pensioners abroad. This creates serious difficulties for those who cannot return to Ukraine because of the war. At the same time, similar mechanisms are already in place for internally displaced persons and residents of temporarily occupied territories, but they have not yet been implemented for citizens who have gone abroad.
How to update data through “Mobile Savings”
In order to reduce complications with updating data, Oschadbank offers updating information without visiting branches using the Mobile Savings application. In late 2024, an option was introduced to allow customers to update data remotely.
When it is time to update the data, the pensioner receives a message in the application. The process includes checking the relevance of information or making changes in a special questionnaire. Although it is not yet possible to update passport data, the bank is actively working on the integration of this service through Diya.
This convenient option allows pensioners not only to save time, but also to avoid unnecessary difficulties associated with physical visits to bank branches.
Chairman of the board of Oschadbank Serhiy Naumov noted, that bank clients sometimes express dissatisfaction with the need to update their data. However, according to him, this is not a whim of financial institutions, but a mandatory requirement of the regulator, which all banks must comply with. In order to make this process as comfortable as possible for Oschadbank customers, at the end of last year, the possibility to update data through the Mobile Savings application without the need to visit branches was implemented.
Naumov explained exactly how this function works. 30 days before the date when the information needs to be updated, or already after it, the client will see a message on the main page of the application informing about the need to clarify the data. To perform this procedure, it is enough to click on the message or go to the profile in the “More” section. If the information turns out to be relevant and does not require changes, it is enough to check and confirm it. After that, the update reminder will disappear automatically.
If it is necessary to make changes, the user can do it step by step by filling out the questionnaire and saving the updated information. Currently, it is possible to update all data, except for passport data. However, the bank is actively working on integrating the option to update passport data through the Diya application, which will also avoid physical visits to branches.
Serhiy Naumov emphasized that the “Mobile Savings” application makes the process of updating data as simple and accessible as possible for customers. He also emphasized the importance of regularly updating the app to have access to all new features and services.
How to get identified in the Pension Fund remotely
For pensioners who are abroad, it is possible to pass identification in video conference mode. You can submit an application through the e-services web portal of the Pension Fund or the contact center.
The identification process includes the following steps:
- Call the Pension Fund contact center at 0 800 503 753 or other available phones.
- During the call, select the section “Questions regarding the payment of pensions and identification”.
- Provide the operator with the necessary information to complete the application, including an email address and phone number.
After that, an employee of the Pension Fund will contact the pensioner to agree on the time of the video identification. It must be carried out within 30 calendar days from the moment of submission of the application, but not earlier than 10 working days.
Annual identification is a mandatory procedure that allows the Pension Fund to check whether the pension recipient still meets the criteria for its accrual. Missing it can lead to the suspension of payments and the need to renew them, which is a long and difficult process.
For Ukrainian pensioners who have found themselves abroad, receiving pension payments is not only a matter of financial stability, but also a means of maintaining ties with the Motherland. In order to avoid problems, it is important to follow established procedures, pass identification on time and use modern technologies, such as “Mobile Savings” or video conferences with the Pension Fund.
The state, for its part, should as soon as possible introduce mechanisms that will provide pensioners abroad with access to their payments in a simplified format. After all, these people deserve decent support, regardless of where they are.
