A new law has been passed in Ukraine that imposes restrictions on pensions for individuals convicted of treason and other crimes against the state. While serving their sentences, these individuals will receive only 2,361 hryvnias per month. After their release, pensions will be paid according to general rules, but without compensation for the entire period of imprisonment.
This is reported by Finway
This bill No. 10355 was adopted on May 15, receiving support from 244 members of parliament. Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a deputy from the “Holos” party, reported on this initiative, noting that the new rules apply to individuals convicted of crimes that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including espionage, collaboration, financing of terrorism, war crimes, ecocide, and genocide.
Payouts During Imprisonment and After Release
Pension payments at the reduced rate will continue throughout the entire duration of the sentence. After release, pensions will be reinstated on general grounds, in accordance with the Law on Mandatory State Pension Insurance. However, all pension amounts that were not paid during imprisonment will not be fully compensated; the review will be based on the minimum pension amount for each month spent in places of deprivation of liberty.
Strengthening Security and Justice in the Pension System
This law does not constitute an exception to the constitutional right to a pension, as the Constitution of Ukraine guarantees everyone at least a subsistence minimum, even for those convicted of serious crimes. However, the significant reduction in payments is viewed as a preventive measure that, according to the explanatory note to the bill, aims to strengthen state and public security, defense capability, and constitutional order in Ukraine in the context of the ongoing war.
The law covers a wide range of crimes specified in the Criminal Code, including treason, encroachment on territorial integrity, collaboration, mercenarism, as well as crimes against humanity, such as genocide. Individuals who have created illegal paramilitary formations, financed terrorists, planned aggressive wars, or violated the laws of warfare will also fall under these restrictions.
As of early April 2025, the number of pensioners in Ukraine exceeds 10.3 million, which is 177,000 fewer compared to last year. The average pension after indexing is 6,341 hryvnias, but it does not keep pace with the inflation rate, which was 14.6% over the year. The government considers it important to maintain the financial stability of the pension system and to uphold principles of justice, emphasizing that individuals who commit crimes against the state should not receive the same social benefits as the defenders of the country.