Pension After the Army: How the System Works for Discharged Servicemembers in 2025Who qualifies, what documents are required, and what is changing for former military personnel
Leaving the military is not just a return to civilian life it’s entry into a complex bureaucratic system where the question of social protection must be resolved. The first and most critical step is pension provision. In 2025, against the backdrop of martial law and a large number of mobilized servicemembers, this topic has become especially sensitive. On one hand, the law exists. On the other the practice, which doesn’t always reflect the realities faced by discharged servicemembers.
A former servicemember may be eligible for a pension in several cases:
- Age-based pension under general rules
- Disability pension, if the disability is related to military service
The first case is regulated by Law of Ukraine No. 1058-IV, the same law that applies to most civilian workers. If a person has reached the age of 60 and has the required insurance record, they have the right to apply for a pension. In 2025, this insurance record must be at least 35 years, although the exact figure depends on the year of birth. Importantly, the period of military service can be included in the insurance record if contributions were paid or the service was funded from the state budget. For those who sustained disabilities related to their military service for example, from wounds or concussions Law No. 2262-XII applies. The disability group and the connection to military service must be confirmed by a Medical and Social Expert Commission (MSEC) or a relevant expert commission under the Ministry of Health.
How to Apply for a Pension: Step by Step
Pension applications can be submitted in two ways:
- Online via the personal account on the Pension Fund of Ukraine portal
- In person at the Pension Fund service center based on place of residence
To apply for an age-based pension, a former servicemember must prepare a standard set of documents:
- Passport
- Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
- Military ID
- Discharge order
- Employment record book (if available)
- Certificates of employment history and salary
- Bank account details
The decision is made in accordance with Procedure No. 22-1. If the complete set of documents is submitted, the review period is usually no more than 10 days. However, in practice, especially during high-demand periods, delays may occur.
Disability Pension: When and Under What Conditions
If a person has an officially recognized disability after military service, they may be entitled to a special pension. The key factor is the link between the disability and military service, which must be confirmed by MSEC or an expert commission of the Ministry of Health.
The list of required documents in this case is similar but includes some additions:
- Pension application to the Pension Fund
- Passport and TIN
- Discharge order
- MSEC certificate of disability
- Certificate of monetary allowance in accordance with Resolution No. 704
- Bank account details
In 2025, updated procedures apply to the calculation of such pensions. The amount depends on the disability group, length of service, and military rank. For example, a pension for those with Group I disability may reach up to 300% of the subsistence minimum, which, considering the current inflation rate and wartime expenditures, is a critically important form of support.
Post List
What’s Changing in 2025 for Mobilized Servicemembers
A separate category includes those mobilized during the full-scale war who did not have prior military experience. In 2025, they are eligible for a pension recalculation, taking their time in service into account as part of their insurance record. Discussions are also underway regarding simplifying the procedure for those who were wounded during mobilization. However, this remains at the discussion stage no official regulatory changes have been enacted yet.
Important Details to Know
- Online applications are convenient, but not always stable: the Pension Fund’s portal may experience technical overloads.
- MSEC procedures are often delayed, especially in regions lacking enough specialists.
- Servicemembers from remote regions may struggle to collect a complete document package particularly if some records were lost or destroyed.
Key Numbers to Remember
- Minimum insurance record in 2025 35 years (for age-based pension)
- Estimated pension amount for former servicemembers 70-90% of monetary allowance, depending on years of service
- Group I disability pension up to 300% of the subsistence minimum
Despite the formal presence of procedures and norms, discharged servicemembers are often left alone in navigating the system. Legal paperwork, especially after front-line duty, becomes an emotionally and physically draining process. Lack of clear local support, scattered information, and insufficient consultation services all make these so-called “guarantees” feel symbolic rather than real.
The military pension system in 2025 combines legal norms that require competent application with life circumstances that don’t always fit the rules. Discharge from the army should not equate to a loss of rights or marginalization. On the contrary this is the moment when the state must prove that its support does not end when the contract does.
The core issue is not just how to apply for a pension, but whether the system truly functions as a tool of social justice.
About the Author
Related posts:
A New Formula for a Fair Pension: How Optimization Works and What Was Changed by Law No. 2506-IX 
Suspension of U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine: What’s Happening, Why It Matters, and the Risks Ahead 
New Rules for Disability Support in Ukraine: What Changes from July 1 
Defense Budget 2025: How Parliament Dramatically Increases Military Funding
