Critical Day for Minimum Pension: Millions' Eyes on Parliament

A critical parliamentary session is underway in Turkey as lawmakers begin debating a proposal to raise the minimum pension for SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees. The legislation aims to increase the lowest pension amount from 20,000 Turkish Lira to 23,552 Lira.

This adjustment is expected to impact approximately 5.1 million pensioners. If the bill is approved and enacted swiftly, the government intends for the increased pensions to be reflected in the July payment cycle. Should the legislative process extend, pensioners would receive the difference in a lump sum at a later date.

The proposed increase is projected to cost the state approximately 79 billion Lira. The Treasury will cover the difference for retirees whose base pension falls below the new minimum, a mechanism similar to previous arrangements. This initiative seeks to boost the incomes of millions of low-income retirees, with the number of individuals receiving the minimum pension anticipated to surpass five million for the first time.