13.06.2025 10:10
Honorary Member of the Supreme Court, Seyfettin Çilesiz, applied to the Social Security Institution (SGK) for the payment of the 8,077 TL lump-sum increase given to civil servants in 2023 to be extended to retirees as well. His lawyer stated that the current value of this increase is approximately 20,000 TL, and if accepted, the lowest pension would exceed 35,000 TL. If a negative response is received from SGK, a lawsuit will be filed.
Supreme Court Honorary Member Seyfettin Çilesiz, who previously filed a lawsuit against the Turkish Statistical Institute on the grounds that inflation data does not reflect reality, has now taken action for the rights of retirees. Çilesiz submitted a written application to the Social Security Institution (SGK) demanding that the flat increase of 8,077 TL given to civil servants in 2023 be paid to retired civil servants as well.
"I REQUEST IT TO BE PAID WITH INTEREST"
In his application, Çilesiz recalled the Decree Law published in the Official Gazette dated July 15, 2023, emphasizing that the failure to reflect the flat increase given only to active civil servants to retirees is contrary to the law and the principle of equality in the Constitution. His request included the following statements: "By law, the salary increases of active civil servants and retired civil servants overlap. It is unlawful to grant a flat increase only to active civil servants. I request that the flat increase of 8,077 TL be updated and paid to me with interest, covering a retrospective period of 60 days from the date of application."
"THE LOWEST RETIREMENT SALARY MAY EXCEED 35 THOUSAND LIRA"
Çilesiz's lawyer, Ali Erdem Gündoğan, stated that the flat increase is adjusted every 6 months according to a coefficient, and therefore this amount has reached approximately 20 thousand lira today. Gündoğan noted that if SGK accepts this application, it would open the door for an increase for all retirees, saying: "If the court accepts this increase request, the lowest retirement salary may exceed 35 thousand lira. If we receive a negative response from SGK, we will immediately file a lawsuit."
A BEACON OF HOPE FOR RETIREES
According to a news report in Sözcü; it is expected that Seyfettin Çilesiz's individual application will lead to an increase in similar demands among retirees. If the application is accepted or if the court rules in favor, the flat increase of 8,077 TL may be reflected to all retired civil servants.