24.12.2025 17:41
The salary increases for civil servants and retirees will be clarified with the inflation figures for December, which will be announced on January 5. An expert stated during a live broadcast that, according to the Central Bank's annual inflation scenario of 31%, the increase for SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees could be 12.28%, while for civil servants and retired civil servants, it could be 18.70%. He emphasized that a new legal regulation is needed to increase the lowest pension.
As we enter the year 2026, one of the most important topics on the agenda of millions is the increase in salaries for civil servants and retirees. The increase rates will become clear with the announcement of the December CPI data, which will finalize the inflation difference for the last 6 months. This critical data will be released on January 5.
POSSIBLE INCREASE SCENARIOS
In a live broadcast on A Haber, Labor Economist Tarkan Zengin discussed possible scenarios regarding the salary calculations for SSK, Bağ-Kur, and civil servant retirees as well as civil servants.
FOR SSK AND BAĞ-KUR RETIREES...
Zengin emphasized that the salary increase for SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees is determined according to the last 6 months' CPI rate as required by law. Noting that the inflation for the last 5 months has been clarified, Zengin stated that this rate is 11.20%. He expressed that the increase rate will be finalized with the addition of December's inflation. Zengin indicated that if the Central Bank's annual inflation target of 31% is achieved, the last 6 months' inflation would correspond to 12.28%, suggesting that in this scenario, the increase rate for SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees could be 12.28%.
FOR CIVIL SERVANTS AND CIVIL SERVANT RETIREES, THE RATE COULD REACH 18.70%
Reminding that the increases for civil servants and civil servant retirees are determined by collective bargaining increases and inflation differences, Zengin stated that the current calculation shows an increase rate of 17.55%. He noted that this rate will change with the addition of December's CPI, expressing that in the scenario of 31% annual inflation, the increase rate for civil servants and civil servant retirees could reach 18.70%.
A NEW REGULATION MAY BE NEEDED FOR THE LOWEST RETIREMENT SALARY
Zengin pointed out that the lowest retirement salary is currently set at 16,881 TL. He mentioned that the salaries of those earning below this amount have been raised to this level by law, emphasizing that there is no "automatic" mechanism regarding whether there will be an increase in the lowest retirement salary. According to Zengin, a new legal regulation is necessary for the government to be able to increase the lowest salary. He recalled that in the previous two periods, the lowest salary was also increased proportionally, suggesting that if a similar step is taken, an increase could also be made in the lowest salary.
MINIMUM WAGE IS 28,075 TL
The long-awaited minimum wage marathon for 2026 has concluded. After three meetings of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission, which included employer and government representatives but not the worker segment, the new minimum wage increase for the upcoming year has been announced. Minister Işıkhan declared that the minimum wage for 2026 will be 28,075 TL.