13.01.2026 12:01
In his evaluations regarding the current issues on the agenda, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli stated, "This homeland is not ownerless, the nation is not helpless. If necessary, we should put our bodies under the stone for the lowest pension payments. We stand by our retirees until the end." The words Bahçeli uttered just before leaving the podium were interpreted in Ankara circles as a "message for a raise."
The leader of the MHP, Devlet Bahçeli, made important statements at his party's group meeting. Bahçeli reacted strongly to the U.S. attack on Venezuela and also criticized the language used against the DEM Party.
"THE ADDRESSEE IS THE FOUNDER LEADER OF THE PKK"
Bahçeli stated, "While all kinds of sacrifices are being made in the process of achieving a Turkey without terrorism, pouring into the streets under the pretext of Aleppo will not bring anything to anyone. How will there be negotiations with a terrorist organization under the control of Israel? How will Turkey approve such a thing? The addressee is none other than the founding leader of the PKK," he expressed.
HIS WORDS REGARDING RETIREES ATTRACTED ATTENTION
At the end of his speech, Bahçeli also touched upon retirement salaries. The MHP leader said, "The troubles of retirees are our troubles, their expectations are our expectations. For our retirees who receive the lowest salary, we will put our hands, and if necessary, our bodies under the stone. We stand by our retirees until the end." he stated.
RETIREMENT INCREASE CLARIFIED AFTER DECEMBER INFLATION
With the announcement of the inflation data for December, the retirement increase rates to be applied as of January 2026 have also been determined. Accordingly, the increase rate for SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees was announced as 12.19 percent. With this development, a change in the lowest retirement salary, which is applied at 16,881 lira, has also come to the agenda. According to the calculations made based on inflation data, the lowest retirement salary has risen to 18,939 lira. However, the fact that the salary increase for approximately 5 million retirees remains below this amount has made a new regulation covering the base salaries mandatory.
LEGAL REGULATION FOR BASE SALARIES
The necessary legal work to increase the salaries of retirees with low base salaries was presented to the Parliament by the AK Party last week. The regulation aims to reduce the salary differences among retirees.
THE LOWEST RETIREMENT SALARY RISES TO 20,000 TL
After the regulation, the lowest retirement salary was increased by 18.6 percent to 20,000 TL. AK Party Group Chairman Abdullah Güler announced in his statement regarding the issue that the lowest retirement salary would be 20,000 TL.
ALL EYES ON THE PARLIAMENT
Discussions on the increase in the lowest retirement salary are expected to begin on January 15, 2026. With this date, it is difficult for the discussions in the parliamentary commission, the proposal to come from the General Assembly of the Parliament, to be discussed and voted on, and if it passes through the Parliament, for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to approve it, for it to be published in the Official Gazette, and for the regulations to be made at the SGK to be completed within a 2-day process. Therefore, it is expected that the lowest retirement salary of 16,881 lira will be deposited to retirees in January. The resulting difference of 3,119 lira will be deposited into the accounts of those entitled to the lowest retirement salary on the specified date.