Seasonal work: in what cases it will not be included in the seniority when calculating a pension

In order to retire at the age of 60, in 2023 a person must “accumulate” at least 30 years of insurance experience. If the insurance period (the time when ERUs were paid for the employee) is less, then, depending on the years worked, they go on a well-deserved rest later - at 63 years and at 65 years.

The publication “On Retirement” explains whether seasonal work is taken into account in the insurance period, for example, in agricultural work, in sanatoriums and resorts or in the tourism sector, which usually takes place during certain periods of the year.

When applying for seasonal work, a fixed-term employment contract is concluded with an employee if such work:

• cannot be performed throughout the year due to natural and climatic conditions, therefore, it is performed only for a certain period, not exceeding 6 months;

• such work is included in the List of seasonal jobs and seasonal industries (it, unfortunately, does not contain specific professions and positions).

If at least one of the above conditions is not met, then such work will not be considered seasonal.

As for the length of service, the main criterion after January 1, 2004 is the payment of insurance premiums - the entire length of service after this date is calculated according to the same rules.

If the minimum contribution for the month is paid, the entire month is counted as seniority. If a person has worked a season, then the inclusion of this period in the length of service will depend on for which months and in what amount insurance premiums are paid. As a reminder, in 2023, the minimum ERU is UAH 1,474 per month.

However, by 2004 the rules for seasonal work were somewhat different. Thus, according to Article 61 of the Law “On Pensions”, work for a full season at enterprises and organizations of seasonal industries was counted as a year of work, regardless of departmental subordination. Such works included some activities in forestry and agriculture, the peat industry, as well as sanatorium and resort establishments and recreation facilities.

The remaining seasonal work was counted in the experience according to their actual duration.

Therefore, if a person who has worked all his life at seasonal jobs and is about to retire in the near future, the periods of work before January 1, 2004 will be taken into account according to the old rules (taking into account entries in the work book or certificates from work, depending on the type of work), and after the specified date - for new ones (only on the basis of data on insurance premiums).

Recall that the length of service can be taken into account even if a person has received the status of unemployed. After all, ERUs are paid for it. We are talking about periods of receiving unemployment benefits (except for its lump-sum payment for organizing unemployed entrepreneurial activities), as well as partial unemployment benefits for the period of quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.

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