In February 2027, eligible retirees are set to receive both the full 13th month pension and the first installment of the 14th month pension — equivalent to one week's payment — according to the government's announcement. On top of that, a 3% pension increase is planned for January, lower-income pensioners are in line for an additional top-up, and a brand-new benefit called the Pensioner SZÉP Card is being introduced. Here's everything we know so far about what retirees can expect in 2027.
What's happening with the 14th month pension in 2027?
The 14th month pension was first paid out in February 2026, with that initial installment amounting to 25% of the monthly pension — the equivalent of one week's payment. Under the original plan, this benefit was supposed to grow gradually each year, reaching 50% of the monthly pension by 2027 and continuing to increase in subsequent years.
However, when presenting the 2027 budget, the Prime Minister announced that the government would not be continuing the phased expansion of the 14th month pension. The good news is that the 13th month pension and the one-week first installment of the 14th month pension will both be kept in place.
Instead of expanding the 14th month payment further, the government says it is prioritizing a top-up for lower-income pensioners and the rollout of the new Pensioner SZÉP Card — measures it believes will provide more meaningful support to those living on modest pensions.
Who qualifies for the 13th and 14th month pension in 2027?
The exact eligibility criteria will be confirmed once the official 2027 regulations are finalized. Based on the 2026 rules, recipients had to be receiving a qualifying benefit for at least one day in the previous year and in February of the payment year.
This means that anyone retiring for the first time in 2027 should not automatically count on receiving these payments. The specifics will depend on the type of benefit received and the rules in force at the time — so it's worth checking the official guidance as it becomes available.
When will the payments arrive?
The exact payment dates for 2027 have not yet been officially announced. Based on past practice, February is when both the 13th and 14th month payments are typically made. Official confirmation of the precise bank transfer and postal delivery dates will come from the relevant government payment authority.
For context, in 2026 the payments were credited to bank accounts on February 13th, with postal deliveries beginning slightly earlier. That date is not guaranteed to repeat in 2027.
How much will pensions increase in 2027?
The government has announced a 3% standard pension increase for January 2027. Beyond that, a significant rise in the minimum pension is also planned, along with a targeted top-up for those on the lowest pension amounts.
According to the announcement, the minimum old-age pension would rise from approximately $81 per month to around $343 — a substantial jump for the lowest earners.
The tiered correction is intended to affect pensions below roughly $417 per month, potentially benefiting around 455,000 retirees.
Under the plans outlined, after the 3% January increase, pensions below around $309 per month would be topped up to approximately $343. From there, a sliding scale of fixed supplements would apply:
- Pensions between ~$309 and ~$357: topped up by ~$34
- Between ~$357 and ~$371: topped up by ~$29
- Between ~$371 and ~$386: topped up by ~$23
- Between ~$386 and ~$400: topped up by ~$17
- Pensions between ~$400 and ~$417 would be raised to ~$417
These figures are based on the government's budget presentation and are subject to change once final legislation and official implementing rules are published.
The Pensioner SZÉP Card: a new benefit arriving from 2027
One of the more notable new measures is the planned introduction of a Pensioner SZÉP Card — a prepaid benefit card that retirees could use toward food, medicine, and leisure or rest.
The program is designed to roll out in four stages between 2027 and 2030. At full implementation, retirees with pensions below ~$714 per month would receive around $571 per year on the card, while those with pensions between ~$714 and ~$1,429 would receive roughly $286 per year. In 2027, the first installment would be one quarter of these amounts — around $143 or $71 respectively.
The program is intended to cover retirees with pensions below roughly $1,429 per month, potentially reaching around 2.2 million people. Full details on eligibility, how the card will be issued, and exactly what it can be spent on are still pending official confirmation.
The key things to know about 2027 pension benefits
Based on everything announced so far, 2027 looks set to bring retirees a fuller package of support than in previous years: the full 13th month pension, a one-week 14th month payment, a 3% January raise, targeted top-ups for lower-income pensioners, and the gradual introduction of the Pensioner SZÉP Card.
The most important details — including exact payment dates, final eligibility rules, and how the new card will work in practice — will be confirmed through official legislation and government communications in the coming months. It's worth keeping an eye on updates from the relevant payment authority as 2027 approaches.
Who is entitled to the 13th month pension?
Under the 2026 rules, recipients needed to be receiving a qualifying pension benefit for at least one day during the previous year and throughout February of the payment year. Anyone retiring for the first time in 2027 should not assume they will automatically qualify.
Will the 14th month pension increase in 2027?
No. The government has confirmed it will not continue the planned expansion of the 14th month pension. The one-week first installment introduced in 2026 will be maintained, but the payment will not grow to 50% of the monthly pension as originally scheduled.
What is the Pensioner SZÉP Card?
It's a new prepaid benefit card the government plans to introduce from 2027 for retirees with pensions below roughly $1,429 per month. It can reportedly be used toward food, medicine, and leisure. The full program is set to phase in over four years, reaching completion by 2030.
When exactly will the February 2027 payments be made?
Official payment dates for 2027 have not yet been announced. In 2026, bank transfers were credited on February 13th. The 2027 dates will be confirmed by the relevant government payment authority closer to the time.
How much will the minimum pension increase in 2027?
According to government plans, the minimum old-age pension would rise dramatically — from roughly $81 to around $343 per month. This is part of a broader tiered top-up system aimed at lifting the lowest pensions closer to a meaningful threshold.
