There are plans to raise the minimum cost of living to 10,000: what will happen to pensions and wages?
27 May 11:17
A bill has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada proposing to revise the subsistence minimum figures in Ukraine’s 2026 State Budget, as well as to increase the minimum pension, the minimum wage, and the pay of military personnel. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing the SYG.
According to the deputies who initiated the bill, the current budget figures are significantly lower than the expected actual subsistence minimum levels, which, in their opinion, leads to a reduction in social guarantees for citizens and contradicts the Constitution of Ukraine.
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Consequently, the bill proposes a phased increase in the subsistence minimum in 2026, depending on the quarter.
Specifically, for a single person on a monthly basis, it could amount to:
- as of January 1 – 3,209 hryvnias,
- as of July 1 – 9,906 hryvnias,
- from October 1 – 10,180 hryvnias.
Increases are also provided for key social and demographic groups, including children of various age groups, working-age individuals, and retirees.
For children under 6 years of age:
- from January 1 – 2,817 hryvnias,
- from July 1 – 7,858 hryvnias,
- from October 1 – 8,074 hryvnias.
For children aged 6 to 18:
- as of January 1 – 3,512 hryvnias,
- from July 1 – 10,035 hryvnias,
- from October 1 – 10,312 hryvnias.
For able-bodied individuals:
- as of January 1 – 3,328 hryvnias,
- from July 1 – 11,833 hryvnias,
- from October 1 – 12,160 hryvnias.
For individuals who have lost their ability to work:
- as of January 1 – 2,595 hryvnias,
- from July 1 – 7,387 hryvnias,
- from October 1 – 7,591 hryvnias.
The minimum old-age pension in 2026 is proposed to be set at:
- as of July 1 – 7,387 hryvnias,
- as of October 1 – 7,591 hryvnias.
Regarding the minimum wage, the following is provided for:
on a monthly basis:
- as of January 1, 2026 – 8,647 hryvnias,
- from July 1, 2026 – 11,183 hryvnias,
- as of October 1 – 12,160 hryvnias;
on an hourly basis:
- as of January 1, 2026 – 52.22 hryvnias,
- from July 1, 2026 – 64.16 hryvnias,
- from October 1, 2026 – 72.17 hryvnias per month.
The document also provides for a 1.5-fold increase in the basic pay of military personnel starting June 1, 2026.
In addition to social benefits, the initiative also includes proposals regarding:
- introducing wage caps in the public sector;
- reprofiling domestic government bonds (OVDP) owned by the NBU;
- increasing the corporate income tax rate for the taxation of bank profits to 75 percent.
Unlike the main draft law No. 15224 “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2026’ Regarding Financial Support for the Security and Defense Sector,” this draft law No. 15224-5 does not provide for the allocation of funds earmarked for the security and defense sector to the Reserve Fund.
What is known about salary caps for certain officials
The document proposes that during the period of martial law (and for an additional 30 days after its conclusion), limits be imposed on the maximum salaries for certain officials and heads of state-owned companies.
Specifically, it is proposed that the maximum monthly salary or monetary allowance may not exceed the salary of an enlisted service member (first pay grade), including combat pay for participation in combat operations.
When calculating the salary “ceiling,” the following are not taken into account:
- sick leave payments;
- health benefits;
- vacation pay.
The restriction does not apply to:
- judges and judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine;
- members of the military and other law enforcement agencies.
The list of positions to which this restriction will apply is to be determined by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Where the funds will come from
The explanatory note states that the implementation of the changes can be funded through additional tax revenues to budgets at all levels from personal income tax, additional revenues resulting from the prevention of tax and fee evasion, as well as through reductions in budget expenditures on non-priority measures.
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