Hungarian pensioners living below the minimum subsistence level

According to Pénzcentrum.hu, the number of elderlies receiving retirement pension in Hungary was close to 2 million in January 2018. All together, there are more than 600 thousand old people who receive less than 100,000 HUF (~EUR 300), several thousands of whom receive less than 25,000 HUF (~EUR 76). How is it even possible to get along from so little money?

A quarter of seniors are paid a monthly amount between 50,000 and 100,000 HUF ~EUR 150-300) but it is hard to define which end they are closer to exactly. Most of the elderlies in this category are living in Budapest, followed by those in Pest county and Bács-Kiskun county. 7705 pensioners receive their pensions abroad.

As two – apparently underprivileged – pensioners stated, it is almost impossible to get along with a pension under 100,000 HUF (~EUR 300). Although they have contributed to the well-being of Hungarian society with their work for more than 40 years, in turn, the Hungarian government does not seem to care much for them. Opposition parties from both the left and right have challenged Fidesz governing party’s retirement policies, but nothing changed in the system.

It is also unfortunate that, as employers are looking for young, energetic workforce, those elderlies who are looking for work as pension supplement are not hired due to their high age.

However, there are others who have it even worse than those who are supported by their families and children. Today in Hungary 69 people receive the legally minimal amount of pension, 28,500 HUF (~EUR 85), though the government claims that even the minimum amount is complemented with additional funds.

Nevertheless: there is even lower than the minimum: 1494 elderlies have in between 25,000-19,990 HUF to economize with, 3267 people have to live off from less than 25,000 HUF (~EUR 75) – including supplements.