The War Continues, but Special Pensions Will Be Cut: Who Exactly Is Being “Optimized” in 2027?
The 2027 draft budget caps special pensions for military retirees, judges, prosecutors, and Chernobyl victims. The government says there is no money — yet corruption scandals continue. An opinion column on why the cuts always hit those who cannot defend themselves.
1 / 4Another “optimization.” A nice word Ukrainians use to describe cutting benefits for those who cannot protest loudly. The 2027 draft budget clearly states: special pensions will be reduced. For military retirees, judges, prosecutors, Chernobyl victims. The government shrugs — no money, war, crisis, the economy must be saved.
Sounds logical, until you know the context.
The context is this: the war has been going on for the fourth year. People who lost their health at the front, or those who spent decades in public service, suddenly become “too expensive” for the budget. The irony is that the very same “optimizers” from the President’s Office are in no hurry to cut their own bonuses, the perks of “effective managers,” or spending on dubious PR campaigns.
Judges’ special pensions are a separate story. They always remain “untouchable.” Probably because judges know how to defend themselves. But a military retiree receiving 12,000 hryvnias after a severe injury is an ideal target. He will not go to a rally, will not write an angry letter to a deputy. He will just swallow it.
And this is not budget policy. This is a moral choice.
A state that calls people to fight, and then cuts their payments when it is time to pay, loses not just money. It loses trust. And restoring that trust will take a very long time.
Of course, one might say: “But we have to save somewhere!” Yes, we do. But saving on those who lost their health in the war, while showing “concern” for the future — what a lovely combination. Especially when we simultaneously hear about yet another corruption scheme in the Defense Ministry or kickbacks on fortification construction.
So money can be found for everything except fairness.
The question is not whether special pensions should be capped. The question is why the cuts always hit those who cannot defend themselves. And why “effective managers” from the President’s Office continue to receive their bonuses while a veteran counts his pennies.
Perhaps the draft budget should include a separate line item: “conscience.” But apparently there is no money for that either.