Retirement Age in Ukraine Effectively Rising, Labor Market Increasingly Needs Pensioners - MP
Mikhail Tsymbalyuk, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Social Policy and Veterans' Rights Protection, has expressed his views on the retirement age situation in Ukraine, highlighting that while the official retirement age is not increasing, Ukrainians are practically forced to work longer than the law prescribes.
Mikhail Tsymbalyuk, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Social Policy and Veterans' Rights Protection, has voiced his concerns regarding the current state of the retirement age in Ukraine. He pointed out that although the formal retirement age remains unchanged, the reality for many Ukrainians is that they are compelled to work longer than stipulated by law.
According to Tsymbalyuk, individuals who reach the age of 60 but do not have 33 years of work experience are forced to continue working until they are 63 or even 65 years old. This situation indicates a significant disparity between the official norms and the actual labor market conditions in Ukraine, where many people are unable to retire at the age they had anticipated.
Tsymbalyuk also noted that the trend of working past the age of 60 is common in international practice, where many individuals continue their professional activities well into their senior years. However, in Ukraine, this is unfortunately a necessity, as the low pension levels prevent many retirees from securing a decent standard of living. Estimates suggest that around 2 million Ukrainians receive a minimum pension of approximately 2,600 hryvnias, which effectively forces them to seek additional sources of income.
This situation underscores a harsh reality, as Tsymbalyuk emphasized, stating, "This speaks to survival. Everyone who has retired tries to continue working," pointing to the challenging economic circumstances facing the country.
At the same time, the MP indicated that the issue of officially raising the retirement age is currently not on the parliamentary agenda. "The current session of the Verkhovna Rada is unable to vote on raising the retirement age because it is not a popular decision," he remarked, highlighting that the political climate does not allow for such changes to be made.
Tsymbalyuk also addressed the significant impact of the war in Ukraine on the labor market. A considerable portion of the working-age population has been mobilized, while others have emigrated or are temporarily out of work. This has led to employers facing a shortage of workers and being compelled to hire older individuals.
He also provided data indicating that the number of working pensioners in Ukraine has significantly increased and now stands at approximately 2.8 million, a figure that is considerably higher than before 2022. This trend reflects a growing willingness among older individuals to continue working, regardless of their age.
Looking ahead, Tsymbalyuk pointed out that the post-war period will present a unique challenge, as the labor market is expected to demand even more workers. However, he cautioned that the expectations regarding working conditions and salary levels will also rise. "Many people who are demobilized will not want to return to their previous professions... they will seek a higher level of compensation, as they will value their work more," the parliamentarian believes.
Tsymbalyuk also mentioned that the government is already taking steps to facilitate the retraining of veterans, but the issue of their integration into the economy and aligning salaries with expectations will remain one of the key challenges following the end of the war.
Earlier, the Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity, Denis Ulyutin, also confirmed in an interview with Ukrinform that the issue of raising the retirement age in Ukraine is not currently on the agenda.
Photo: Facebook/ Batkivshchyna Lviv Region
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