tsn.ua
The first stage of the increase in the subsistence minimum and the minimum amount of pensions will start May 1, TSN reports with reference to the statement of Deputy Prime Minister Pavlo Rozenko.
"The state budget of Ukraine for 2017 lays out an increase in the subsistence level and minimum pensions twice during this year - from May 1, 2017, and from December 1, 2017," he said.
According to the оfficial, the subsistence minimum for disabled persons (minimum pension) from May 1 will be UAH 1,312 (some $48), and UAH 1,373 ($50) from December 1.
Read alsoFT: Ukrainians will finally feel benefit of reforms this year, says PM"That is, for 8 million pensioners, whose pension payments depend on the minimum pension, will grow by at least 10%. This is the minimum program to raise social standards for this year, which has already been laid out," Rozenko added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman vowed a significant increase in pensions since October.
The head of government informed that at the moment, 80% of the Ukrainian pensioners live below the poverty line. On March 31, Groysman has declared, that in case the Verkhovna Rada adopts the pension reform draft before July, 15, the government can increase pensions as early as October, 1. According to officials, pension reform should include three criteria: equity, non-deficit Pension Fund, and increased pensions.
According to the head of government, the pension reform will allow to completely eliminate the UAH 140 billion deficit of the Pension Fund’s budget within seven years.