From 1 January, the minimum state pension will rise to HUF 120,000 (EUR 330), Péter Magyar, the Prime Minister, announced on Thursday, outlining the Government’s decision taken the previous day on his Facebook page.
In a video, Péter Magyar pointed out that the measure would bring a substantial increase for several hundred thousand elderly people, doubling the pensions of many recipients. He recalled that the minimum old-age pension had remained unchanged at HUF 28,500 (EUR 78) since 2008, MTI wrote.
“There are debts that cannot be repaid in forints. One such debt is owed by the nation to those who worked for decades, raised children, cared for their parents and helped Hungary through its most difficult periods,” the Prime Minister said. He added that the debt could never be repaid in full, but every government could demonstrate through its decisions how much it valued older people.
“During the Orbán government’s 15 years in office, we have reached the point where nearly one million of our elderly compatriots are living in severe deprivation,” Péter Magyar said. He recalled that, before the election, the Tisza Party had already pledged to raise the minimum pension to HUF 120,000 and to increase the lowest pensions in a targeted manner.
He added that exempting prescription medicines from VAT and cutting the VAT rate on firewood from 27 per cent to 5 per cent would also help hundreds of thousands of “our most forgotten elderly compatriots” to live a life of dignity. The Tisza Party made further pledges concerning older people and pensions, and preparations for fulfilling them have already begun, the Prime Minister said.
“The Orbán government left Hungary in a tragic economic and financial state. We inherited a huge deficit and a ruined, drained budget. In such circumstances, a humane country begins by offering help where it is most needed,” Péter Magyar said. He stressed that a pension was neither a gift nor a favour. “After a lifetime of work, our elderly compatriots are entitled to security, respect and dignity.”
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