Court fee for filing a lawsuit against the Pension Fund is UAH 1,211
Ukrainian citizens can confirm their work experience from the Soviet era even if their employment record book is lost or the enterprise has been liquidated. Attorney and insolvency practitioner Serhii Lytvynenko explained the procedure. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Олена Чупровська) citing Serhii Lytvynenko, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
In the event of a lost employment record book or poorly maintained entries, experts advise starting the search with state archives. Documents of liquidated collective farms and enterprises are often transferred to district or city archives, or directly to the legal successors of reorganized entities.
Archive certificates, household registers of village councils, and payroll records are used to confirm years of work and the level of earnings. In some cases, references, certificates, and employment orders are also accepted.
Confirming work experience through witness testimonies
If archive collections have not survived due to military operations or the liquidation of an organization, employment history can be established in court based on witness testimonies. It is necessary to find at least two former colleagues who worked alongside the applicant during the same period.
Written witness statements are drawn up in accordance with the rules approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 637. Guidance on the procedure can be obtained directly from territorial offices of the Pension Fund.
Challenging Pension Fund decisions
If the Pension Fund issues a written refusal to credit the work record, citizens have the right to appeal to the district administrative court. The court fee for filing such a lawsuit amounts to UAH 1,211.
“In practice, a combination of evidence works best: an archive certificate for part of the periods, written statements from colleagues, and confirmation from the village council. One should not expect a single document to close all gaps,” emphasized Serhii Lytvynenko.
Experts advise submitting inquiries to archival institutions well in advance, as processing responses can take several weeks. A comprehensive approach to gathering evidence helps minimize the risks of losing pension rights.
Photo: RBC-Ukraine
Read also: Pension Fund of Ukraine paid 93 billion hryvnias in social assistance in October
