PM Hroisman says pension growth possible in October. TABLE (in Ukrainian)

The Cabinet of Ministers offers to raise pensions from Oct. 1, 2017.

As reported by Censor.NET, Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroisman said it at a press conference on the occasion of the current government's first year.

According to him, a pension reform should be based on three criteria.

"We must build a fair system. It's wrong when 80 percent of pensioners receive an equal pension. Second, we have to reach a zero or close to zero deficit in the medium term. This will make it possible to invest in pensions. The third criteria is the reform itself that will lead to growth," the prime minister said.

He stressed the Cabinet of Ministers suggests raising benefits to Ukrainian pensioners from Oct. 1, adding it would be a systemic increase.

Hroisman offered reassurance the increase will not be achieved at the expense of raising the retirement age.

"We've found other ways to do that," he said.

The prime minister presented a table showing how pensions will grow.