Brussels would indeed deprive our elderly compatriots of 13th-month pension, an extra month of benefit, and it is no coincidence that the issue is included in the national consultation questionnaire, the Hungarian Metropol portal pointed out.
The news outlet recalls that the OECD, commissioned by the European Commission, has repeatedly recommended the Hungarian government to abolish the 13th-month pension.

In its reports and recommendations, the European Commission often cites the OECD and its documents. The OECD says Hungary needs to
- raise the retirement age,
- tighten the Women40 (Nok40) scheme,
- restrict the 13-month pension,
- re-introduce the early retirement pension.
Outraged pensioners
The portal asked the elderly to comment on Brussels' plan. Many of the comments were unprintable.
What does Brussels have to do with our pensions?
one woman asked, but not everyone was so tolerant.
To hell with them!... Damn them all!
one angry reply came after the other.
An older woman advised the Brussels bureaucrats to grow old and experience what it's like to have little.
The funds for pensions are in place
In its article, the economic paper Vilaggazdasag highlighted that the final vote on the 2025 budget will be held on December 20, and funds are earmarked for paying the 13th-month pensions.
Despite pressure from Brussels,
the government has no plans to change the pension system and is committed to preserving the value of pensions and paying the 13th-month pension.
Proof of the government's commitment is next year's budget that allocates a total of 535 billion Hungarian forints for paying the 13th-month pension and other benefits.
The Orban government decided to restore the 13th-month pension in 2021. The decision was originally to re-introduce the 13th-month pension gradually, but in 2022, instead of the equivalent of two weeks' benefit, a full month's extra benefit was paid to pensioners. Those whose benefits are increased in the same way as pensions also received an extra, 13th-month benefit.