Erzurum retirees speak out on pensions: 'We can't even sit and have a cup of tea'

In Erzurum, Turkey, hundreds of retirees gathered in parks to voice their deep dissatisfaction with their current pension amounts, even as a raise is anticipated next month. The retirees described a harsh reality where high rents, soaring tea prices, and perceived injustices in the calculation of pensionable service days leave them struggling to make ends meet.

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We can't afford to sit down and have a cup of tea.

Many retirees lamented that their pensions are consumed by rent, leaving little for food, transportation, or utility bills. "We can't afford to sit down and have a cup of tea," one retiree stated, emphasizing how even simple pleasures have become luxuries. The sentiment of financial strain was widespread, with many feeling their earnings are inadequate for basic survival.

Adding to the frustration, some retirees pointed to perceived inequities in the pension system. One individual, who paid high premiums for years under the BAĞ-KUR system, expressed dismay at receiving the same pension as someone with fewer contribution days. "I retired with 8,825 days of contributions. I paid the highest premiums at the time. Now I get the same salary as someone who paid for 5,000 days," they explained, contrasting their situation with the higher salaries of new civil servants.

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I retired with 8,825 days of contributions. I paid the highest premiums at the time. Now I get the same salary as someone who paid for 5,000 days.

However, not all retirees shared this bleak outlook. A few expressed contentment, attributing their financial stability to diligent work during their careers and thanking the state. One former highway worker stated, "Don't listen to those who say the salary isn't enough; they'd say that even with 100,000 lira." This perspective suggests a divide in how retirees perceive their economic situations and the government's role.

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Don't listen to those who say the salary isn't enough; they'd say that even with 100,000 lira.

Despite the mixed views, the dominant narrative among the retirees in Erzurum is one of hardship and a plea for greater financial relief. The upcoming pension increase is seen by many as insufficient to address the escalating costs of living, leaving them anxious about their future.

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We are starving, and nobody cares about us.