Pension Recalculation, One-Time Assistance of 1500 UAH, and New Medications in the Affordable Medicines Program: Important Changes in April 2026

In April 2026, a series of substantial changes are scheduled to take place in Ukraine, impacting both the pension system and medical programs. Notably, working retirees will undergo a recalculation of their pensions, and around 13 million Ukrainians will receive a one-time assistance payment of 1500 UAH. Additionally, the Affordable Medicines program will expand to include nearly 40 new medications, marking a significant step towards ensuring access to medical services.

Starting from April 1, 2026, the recalculation of pensions for working retirees will commence in Ukraine. The Pension Fund will automatically determine the most beneficial recalculation method for each retiree. It is important to note that this process will occur without the need for pensioners to submit applications or documents, simplifying the procedure for receiving new payments.

Only those working retirees who have at least 24 months of additional work experience will be eligible for the recalculation. In such cases, the new pension amount will be calculated based on the most favorable conditions for the retiree. For those who do not have sufficient work experience but are still eligible for recalculation, it will be carried out considering their existing insurance period.

The Pension Fund of Ukraine has reported that the primary grounds for recalculation include changes in legislation and other factors affecting pension amounts. Furthermore, in April 2026, retirees who reach the age qualifying for an age supplement can traditionally expect an increase in their pensions. This supplement applies to individuals whose payments do not exceed 10,340 UAH.

Additionally, in April, the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine will distribute a one-time targeted assistance payment of 1500 UAH for retirees and vulnerable categories of citizens receiving social assistance. It is anticipated that approximately 13 million Ukrainians belonging to these categories will receive the assistance. If an individual qualifies for assistance on multiple grounds, the payment will be made once after verifying data in state registries.

The one-time assistance payment will be automatically disbursed through the usual channels for receiving pensions or social benefits, such as bank accounts or Ukrposhta branches. Recipients will not need to submit applications or contact social protection authorities, significantly simplifying the process of receiving assistance.

Another important update is the enhancement of the Affordable Medicines program, which allows patients to obtain necessary medications for free or with a partial payment via electronic prescriptions. From April 1, 2026, the list of Affordable Medicines will include 37 new drugs, particularly for treating cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory diseases, which are the leading causes of mortality in Ukraine.

The updated list of Affordable Medicines, approved by the Ministry of Health, came into effect on March 31 and includes 748 items. This year, the program's funding has increased by 1.8 billion UAH, totaling 8.7 billion UAH, compared to 6.9 billion UAH in 2025. As of mid-March 2026, more than 1.5 million patients have utilized the Affordable Medicines program, indicating its popularity and necessity.

Moreover, since January 1, 2026, the national program Health Screening 40+ continues to operate in Ukraine, which provides basic examinations for the early detection of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and mental health disorders. This program is a vital component of the healthcare system that contributes to improving the quality of life for the population.

Starting April 1, Law No. 4683-IX will also come into effect, amending the Law of Ukraine on Mandatory State Social Insurance. This new document enhances the procedures for issuing and extending sick leave certificates and strengthens control over the justification for their issuance. The changes apply to both paper and electronic sick leaves.

The law allows for the possibility of conducting checks that confirm the justification for issued sick leaves. Authorized doctors may be involved in this process to verify medical conclusions regarding temporary incapacity for work. The requirements for such doctors will be determined by the Cabinet of Ministers, and their selection will follow a transparent automated procedure.

Healthcare institutions have also gained the ability to appeal decisions regarding the recognition of sick leaves as unjustified, a process that previously could only be done through the courts. Now, there is an option to appeal decisions in a pre-trial manner, simplifying the process for medical institutions.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the vast majority of sick leaves in Ukraine are currently issued electronically, while paper sick leave certificates are only used in specific cases where it is impossible to generate an electronic sick leave. This indicates a gradual transition towards digitalization in the healthcare system.

On April 2, the deadline for the main registration period for participation in the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT) 2026 will expire, which has been ongoing since March 5. To register, applicants must create a personal account on the website of the Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment (UCEQA), simplifying their participation in the testing process.