Opposition promises predictable pensions, better health care

The opposition will restore the Swiss indexation method for the calculation of pensions and will offer people better health care if it wins the April 3 general election, representatives of LMP, the Democratic Coalition and the Socialist Party said on Wednesday.

The government’s re-introduction of the 13th month pension “isn’t enough to make up for the last 12 years”, LMP co-leader Erzsébet Schmuck told a joint press conference.

The new government will ensure the elderly a secure livelihood, will make health care accessible to them and offer them cultural and community services, as well as education opportunities, she said.

Democratic Coalition deputy leader Erik Konczer said the opposition would preserve the 13th month pension if it formed the next government and implement further measures in the interests of pensioners.

The elderly need to be offered the opportunity for flexible retirement, he said, underlining the need to introduce a pension correction scheme that will prevent those with smaller pensions from sliding into poverty.

Lajos Kórózs, the (Socialist) head of parliament’s welfare committee, said the opposition had vowed to officially recognise caregiving as employment and to pay caregivers the minimum wage.

The new government will establish a new advocacy system for pensioners, he said, adding that it would never take any decision concerning pensioners without first seeking the opinions of the elderly.

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Source: MTI