Recalculation of Military and Ministry of Internal Affairs Pensions: What Documents Are Needed and How to Submit an Application
Not all pensioners can count on an automatic increase in pension payments. For certain categories of citizens, particularly former law enforcement and security service employees, pension recalculation often requires a personal appeal and confirmation of the right to an increase.
Pension provision for former employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Police, Security Service of Ukraine, State Emergency Service, and other security agencies is carried out under special rules that differ from the general pension insurance system.
The legal basis for such payments is defined by the Law of Ukraine No. 2262-XII "On Pension Provision for Persons Released from Military Service and Some Other Persons." It establishes the procedure for appointment and review of pensions for military personnel and law enforcement officers after service completion.
What pensions can former security officers receive
Legislation provides several types of pension provision for representatives of security agencies.
A length-of-service pension is granted if the required length of service is met. For persons discharged after October 1, 2020, the minimum length of service is 25 calendar years.
Disability pensions can be received by persons who lost their ability to work due to wounds, injuries, concussions, or illnesses related to service or performance of official duties.
Additionally, the law provides for a survivor's pension for family members of deceased or fallen law enforcement officers and military personnel if death occurred as a result of performing official duties.
What determines the amount of pension payments
Unlike regular pensions, where insurance experience plays a key role, for former security officers the basis of calculation is the amount of monetary allowance at the time of discharge.
The following are taken into account when determining the pension:
- official salary;
- salary for special or military rank;
- length-of-service allowance;
- permanent bonuses, allowances, and premiums.
The length of service also affects the final payment amount. The longer the service, the higher the percentage of monetary allowance considered in pension calculation.
At the same time, salary and monetary allowance increases for active law enforcement officers and military personnel may be grounds for reviewing pensions of their former colleagues.
When pension recalculation is possible
Pension recalculation for former security service employees is carried out under a special procedure and is not tied to the annual increases applied to most pensioners.
The procedure for such review is defined by Law No. 2262-XII and Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 45. Its essence lies in recalculating the pension considering the current amount of monetary allowance.
Grounds for recalculation may include:
- increases in official salaries or allowances for active security service employees;
- non-inclusion of certain components of monetary allowance during the initial pension appointment;
- court decisions that canceled restrictions or recognized as illegal the norms affecting pension payment amounts.
Judicial practice regarding Cabinet Resolution No. 103 played a special role in pension reviews, after which many military pensioners gained the right to recalculation of payments.
During the new calculation, all components of monetary allowance provided by law must be considered, including salaries, bonuses, allowances, premiums, and indexation.
What is needed to arrange a recalculation
To initiate a recalculation, a pensioner must obtain an up-to-date certificate of the amount of monetary allowance from the relevant department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Police, or another authorized body.
After receiving the certificate, documents along with the application are submitted to the Pension Fund of Ukraine.
If the recalculation is denied or not all due payments are considered during the process, the pensioner has the right to appeal the decision in court and demand a review of the pension amount.
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