Dmytro Razumkov spoke out strongly against the government’s social policy, criticising the minimal increase in the minimum pension in 2026 and plans to raise the retirement age to 67. He highlighted the discrepancy between the stated plans and the state’s actual capabilities, and also pointed out that the average life expectancy for Ukrainian men is precisely 67 years.
- The real increase in the minimum pension in 2026 amounted to 234 UAH.
- Razumkov proposed increasing pensions to 5,190 hryvnias using funds from the reserve fund.
- The proposal was rejected by the parliamentary committee.
- The government plans to raise the retirement age to 67.
- 67 years is the average life expectancy for Ukrainian men.
Criticism of the minimal increase in pensions in 2026
Dmytro Razumkov pointed out that the real increase in the minimum pension in 2026 amounted to just 234 hryvnias, which is equivalent to approximately 8 hryvnias a day. The politician stressed that this amount is not enough even for basic supermarket shopping. In Ukraine, 1.7 million citizens are forced to survive on such pension payments, which, according to Razumkov, is unacceptable.
Proposals to increase pensions and the rejection of amendments
Last year, Razumkov’s team proposed raising minimum pension double it to 4,722 hryvnias, but at the time the authorities rejected the proposal due to a lack of funds. Today, the government itself has announced plans to raise the minimum wage to 6,000 hryvnias. During the budget debate, the politician proposed an amendment to an increase in the pension to 5,190 hryvnias right now, by proposing funding from the reserve fund, but the parliamentary committee rejected this proposal.
Retirement age and demographic challenges
Razumkov sharply criticised the government's plans to raise the retirement age to 67. He pointed out that, according to demographers, the average life expectancy for Ukrainian men is 67 years. In the politician’s view, this means that many people simply will not live to see retirement, which he described as a «disgrace» and a possible new social policy on the part of the authorities.
Social priorities and criticism of public spending
The politician also pointed out that the government is focusing more on funding schemes such as «Fuel Cashback» and «Vova’s Thousand» than on increasing pensions. This reflects the government’s priorities, which do not correspond to the real needs of a significant part of the population — pensioners, who remain one of the most vulnerable groups.
The impact of social policy on Ukrainian society
Razumkov’s criticism raises concerns about the future of Ukraine’s pension system. Raising the retirement age, against a backdrop of low life expectancy among men, poses a social risk of increasing poverty levels among the older generation. At the same time, the lack of significant increases in minimum pensions is exacerbating the financial difficulties faced by millions of Ukrainians who depend on state benefits.
