25.12.2025 11:05
According to the strongest scenario discussed in the corridors, if the inflation rate for December comes close to the target, the increase rate for SSK and Bağkur retirees may be in the range of 12.5-14%, while the increase rate for civil servants and civil servant retirees may be shaped in the range of 18.70-20.50%. Based on this table, the lowest pension is expected to rise to 19,000-19,250 TL, while the lowest civil servant pension is anticipated to reach levels of 26,900-27,500 TL.
The minimum wage for 2026, which closely concerns millions of minimum wage earners and private sector employees, has been announced. The net minimum wage, which is 22,104 TL, has been increased by 27% starting from 2026. Thus, the net minimum wage rises to 28,075 TL, while the gross wage reaches 33,030 TL.
EYES ON THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY
Following the increase in the minimum wage, another topic on the agenda has become the salaries of civil servants and retirees. With the announcement of the inflation data for December in the first week of January, the final rate of salary increases is expected to become clear.
HOW ARE SALARY INCREASES CALCULATED?
Under normal circumstances, the 6-month inflation difference is directly reflected in the salaries of SSK and Bağkur retirees, while the increases for civil servants and retired civil servants are calculated based on collective bargaining agreements and inflation differences.
5-MONTH INCREASE RATE HAS ALREADY BECOME CLEAR
With the announcement of the inflation figures for November, the 5-month increase differences have also emerged. Accordingly, based on the 5-month data, the increase for SSK and Bağkur retirees has been calculated as 11.20%. The increase rate for civil servants and retired civil servants is 17.56%.
INFLATION EXPECTATION: ANNUAL RANGE OF 31-33%
In evaluations made to Milliyet, Certified Public Accountant Ahmet Kurtuluş stated that inflation generally remained above 2% monthly in the second half of the year, and that the November figure being below 1% was a surprise. Expressing that the target for December is 1.61%, Kurtuluş noted that if the realization is close to this level, the annual inflation could be in the range of 31-33%.
EXPECTATION OF INCREASE FOR SSK AND BAĞKUR RETIREES
Kurtuluş mentioned that the inflation difference for SSK and Bağkur retirees for the second half of 2025 could be between 12.5% and 14%. Additionally, he pointed out that the possibility of a welfare share increase has frequently come up, but they do not expect a significant welfare share increase, stating that whatever the announced inflation rate is, the salaries will be determined accordingly.
CIVIL SERVANTS AND RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS
Kurtuluş emphasized that the calculation for civil servants and retired civil servants is different, reminding that they also receive a collective bargaining increase in addition to the inflation difference. He stated that with the November inflation, the 17.55% increase has become guaranteed, and he predicted that with the December inflation, the increase rate could rise to between 18.70% and 20.50%.
NUMBERS ON THE TABLE FOR THE LOWEST RETIREMENT SALARY
Kurtuluş also made evaluations regarding the lowest retirement salaries, recalling that in the past, the lowest salaries were generally determined to be close to or slightly above the increase rate. Accordingly, he expressed that the lowest SSK and Bağkur retirement salary could rise from 16,881 TL to a range of 19,000-19,250 TL with an increase of 12.5-14%. He also mentioned that the lowest civil servant retirement salary could increase from 22,671 TL to levels between 26,900-27,500 TL with an increase of 18.70-20.50%.