11.02.2026 09:00
Former Chief Inspector of SGK, İsa Karakaş, signaled significant changes in the retirement system. Karakaş stated that the government is preparing to transition from a "salary-based" model to a new "income and needs-based" model. In this case, retirees who have been receiving a salary of 20,000 TL for a period based on their base salary may face a zero increase.
In 2019, 800 thousand people were receiving retirement pensions, while today this number has reached 5 million. The lack of improvements for those who have paid high premiums is causing a reaction among retirees as the gap is closing. Former SGK Chief Inspector İsa Karakaş signaled that a fundamental change could be made in the retirement system. Karakaş wrote that the government is preparing to transition from a "salary-focused" model to a new "income and needs-focused" system.
NEW 5-STEP MODEL ON THE TABLE
Karakaş stated that there is currently no concrete draft, but that a five-step system is being considered, outlining the main features of the model as follows:
SCATTERED AID WILL BE COLLECTED IN A SINGLE SYSTEM
Aids provided separately by municipalities, foundations, and ministries will be collected in a single social aid map. Thus, it will be transparently visible who receives what support.
HOUSEHOLD INCOME WILL BE THE BASIS, NOT SALARY
Only the retirement salary will not be considered; the total income entering the household and the standard of living will be taken into account. For example, a retiree receiving a salary of 12,500 TL and owning three houses will not be evaluated in the same category as another retiree receiving the same salary but living in a rented house with this being their only income.
SGK AND FAMILY MINISTRY DATA WILL BE COMBINED
The salary system will be integrated with the social aid system. The system will automatically identify those who fall below the income threshold and transfer support from the budget.
CASH SUPPORT PERIOD
Instead of coal or food packages, the majority of aids will be converted into cash support loaded onto cards. Retirees will determine their own needs.
COMPLETION ACCORDING TO LIVING COST
The difference between the lowest retirement salary and the cost of living in the city will be calculated. In metropolitan areas, rent support, utility aid, and social housing projects will come to the agenda.
WHAT WILL THOSE WITH LOW BASE SALARIES FACE?
Karakaş stated that starting from July 2026, the discussion will evolve from "base salary" to the question "is the household income below the living threshold?" In this context, retirees who currently receive a base salary of 20,000 TL but have a base salary of 11,000-13,000 TL may face a long-term risk of receiving no increase. He emphasized that this group will continue with the base salary until the inflation difference exceeds 20,000 TL.
However, he noted that additional support could be provided based on criteria such as living in rented accommodation, having no other income in the household, and the number of children.
EXAMPLE SCENARIO: ALİ AND VELİ
According to the scenario shared by Karakaş:
Retiree Ali, who has a base salary of 11,000 TL and lives in a rented house with no other income at home, could have his income completed to the level of 22,000-28,000 TL with rent and fuel support if he falls below the income threshold.
Retiree Veli, who has the same base salary but lives in his own house and whose spouse also receives a retirement salary of 16,000 TL, will continue to receive only the current base salary of 20,000 TL since the household income will be considered high. Karakaş stated that the government's main criterion will be "income per person in the household."