Minister of Human Capacities Zoltán Balog announced on Friday that pensions will increase by 1.6 per cent in 2016.

He said that the increase will affect all forms of pension, including retirement, survivor, early retirement, staff remunerations, disability, rehabilitation and injury allowances affecting 2.6 million people.

He pointed out that while the Government pledged to keep the real value of pensions both in 2010 and 2014, due to favourable inflation figures pensions have in fact shown a significant appreciation. The nominal pension rise between 2011 and 2015 was 21.6 per cent resulting in a 8.6 per cent real increase, Mr. Balog said.

He said the 1.6 per cent increase for 2016 will also be effective for political rehabilitation pensions and the pension supplement for valour shown in 1956.

The Minister emphasised that the Women 40 early retirement scheme proved successful as 140,000 women have opted for it and therefore the scheme will be available next year as well.

(Ministry of Human Capacities)