05.03.2025 08:41
The countdown has begun for the holiday bonus payments for retirees. The increase rates for the retirement bonuses, which are expected to be paid before the Ramadan holiday on March 29, are eagerly anticipated by retirees. Last year, the bonuses were increased by 50%, reaching 3,000 lira. This year, however, three scenarios are being considered.
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The Ramadan Feast will start on March 30 this year. Before the holiday, the bonus payments for retirees will be deposited into their accounts. The holiday bonuses, which were increased by 50% to 3,000 lira last year, are paid during both Ramadan and Sacrifice Feast. In January, the increase for retirees from SSK, Bağ-Kur, and the Pension Fund was set at 15.75%, while retirees are looking forward to a possible increase in bonuses. In previous years, bonuses were increased only once a year, so a higher increase than 15.75% is expected this year.
"IT CAN REACH A TOTAL OF 7 THOUSAND LIRA"
Speaking on A Haber live broadcast regarding the holiday bonus for retirees, Faruk Erdem, the Editor-in-Chief of Takvim Newspaper, said, "We had made some calculations, and we put forward 3-4 formulas. One of them was to increase it by the 6-month increase rate of 15%, which results in a figure around 3,400 lira, maybe rounded up to 3,500, and it can reach a total of 7,000 lira."
50% FORMULA
Erdem continued, "Besides that, it may also be increased according to the annual inflation rate, which is around 44 - 45%. Therefore, it can be rounded to 4,500 lira, and the total amount can again be raised to 9,000 lira."
Erdem stated, "Another formula could be an increase of 50% as it was last year. Here, 4,500 lira comes out, totaling 9,000 lira. Now, these are minimum formulas; the government may say I will give more, it can be raised to a higher point, and a higher amount can be given."
Erdem added, "But the process must be announced and a legal regulation must be made. If no legal regulation is made, the amount from last year will have to be paid. However, retirees will receive bonuses this month."
"I THINK IT WILL BE 4 THOUSAND, IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MARCH 10"
Speaking on TGRT News, Social Security Expert Özgür Erdursun said, "If a raise is made to the holiday bonuses, we think it will be around 4,000 lira. Holiday bonuses started in 2018. It started as 62% of the net amount of the minimum wage. Currently, the minimum wage has become 22,104 lira, and when we compare it, it should actually be around 13,850 lira. Because in 2018, the net minimum wage was 1,603 lira, and the holiday bonus started as 1,000 lira."
Erdursun continued, "The purpose of the holiday bonus is to compensate for a portion of the low retirement pensions, but just as retirement pensions lose value every month and every year, holiday bonuses have also lost value over the years. Currently, it is 3,000 lira. If an increase is made, I think there will be a holiday bonus in the range of 3,500 - 4,000 lira."
Regarding when the holiday bonus for retirees will be announced and deposited into accounts, Erdursun said, "I think it will be announced by March 10. It will be announced by March 10, and payments will be made a week before the holiday. Payments will also be made a week or 10 days before."
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