Minister Gulyás said that one of the many organisations linked to George Soros, Human Rights Watch, had published what he described as a malicious report on the situation of Hungarian pensioners.
In response, the minister sent a letter to the organisation, stating that the Hungarian government has gone far beyond its pre-2010 commitment to maintaining the real value of pensions.
Minister Gulyás pointed out that the average pension in Hungary stood at 97,000 forints in 2010, while in January 2026 it exceeds 286,000 forints per month when calculated on a monthly basis and taking into account the 13th-month pension as well as the first instalment of the newly introduced 14th-month pension.
This means that, even after accounting for inflation, the purchasing power of pensions has increased by 48 percent during the government’s term in office, the minister underlined.
He added that the government has introduced the 14th-month pension this year, with the first instalment now being paid, increased pensions by 3.6 percent as of January 1, and continues to pay the full 13th-month pension.
Minister Gulyás also highlighted that Hungary’s replacement rate – the proportion of a worker’s former wage received upon retirement – stands at 78 percent for men, compared with an EU average of 68 percent and an OECD average of 63 percent. For women, the replacement rate in Hungary is 72.8 percent, while the EU average is 68 percent and the OECD average is 62.4 percent.
He acknowledged that there is still room for improvement, which is why pension increases and the introduction of the 14th-month pension remain important. At the same time, Minister Gulyás stressed that under previous left-wing governments, the real value of pensions fell by 10 percent, the 13th-month pension was abolished, and pensioners were left particularly vulnerable during the global financial crisis.
The minister added that today’s left wing is backed by the same figures who previously served as advisers or ministers under former prime ministers Ferenc Gyurcsány and, in some cases, Gyula Horn.
Minister Gulyás said there is no reason to assume that a new left-wing alliance, including cooperation between the Democratic Coalition and the Tisza Party, would pursue a different policy.
He concluded by saying that the upcoming elections carry enormous stakes for pensioners as well, stressing that those who do not want a return to an era of austerity that hit pensioners hardest should choose the safe option and vote for Fidesz.