29.10.2026 17:04
AK Parti has accelerated its efforts to improve pensions as part of President Erdoğan’s statement following the Cabinet meeting. In addition to increases to pensions at the inflation rate, consideration is being given to reflecting a welfare share increase or a flat-rate increase through tiering by age ranges. While negotiations continue, particularly on a larger increase for those over 65, a system is envisaged that will take into account retirees who are not in working life.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement yesterday after the Cabinet meeting, "Hopefully, in the 2027 budget, we are creating financial opportunities that will further improve the situation of our retirees, who are the crown of our heads. For this, we hope to implement the necessary legal regulation within the framework of justice and fairness by the end of the year, with the appreciation of our Grand National Assembly of Turkey," within its scope, work continues on the principles according to which the regulation will be made.
In the work carried out in the AK Party Group and still in draft form, increasing the welfare share or making an across-the-board raise according to the age ranges determined for retirees has come to the agenda. It is planned that as age increases, the welfare share or across-the-board raise will be higher.
MORE INCREASE FOR THOSE OVER 65 IS BEING CONSIDERED
AK Party officials reported that age ranges of 65 or 60 could be taken as criteria, but that especially for those over 65, a higher rate of welfare share or across-the-board increase is being considered. Officials stated that for this, a study will be conducted regionally under the Income Complementary Family Support System (GETAD) according to the age and premium days of all retirees.
AK Party cadres, pointing out that many people who retired under 65 continue working, reported that making the improvement for those above this age group is more important and that work on age criteria continues. Officials stated that those in working life and those not will be separated.
It was stated that the welfare share or across-the-board increase will be made in addition to the raise to be made to retiree salaries in January.
"GRADUAL RETIREMENT" IS NOT ON THE AGENDA
It was stated that a study on gradual retirement is not currently in question. Officials said, "When you bring a burden to the retirement system outside its normal functioning, you need to put its cost in the budget. EYT's burden in 2025 was 1 trillion 300 billion liras. These are being paid within the budget balance, okay, but when there is another need, when gradual retirement is requested, you cannot do it because of this, because serious problems would be experienced regarding its sustainability."
STATEMENT FROM VICE PRESIDENT YILMAZ
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz also made statements regarding the regulation for retirees while answering MPs' questions at the GNAT Plan and Budget Committee.
Noting that retirees were prioritized in the budget, Yılmaz said, "Our ultimate aim is the welfare of society. In this budget, we especially prioritized our retirees. We prepared the budget based on providing an opportunity above the increase to come with inflation."
Saying that different options for retirement pensions are being evaluated, Yılmaz said, "We continue all technical work on alternatives."
Drawing attention to the fact that legal changes are required for regulations other than automatic inflation-linked increases, Yılmaz stated that work continues.
Regarding when the regulation will be submitted to Parliament, Yılmaz said, "Probably after the budget negotiations are over, our group will submit it to Parliament's discretion."