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The lowest pension has become 23,552 TL. Do you think it's possible to live on this amount?
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท Turkey /Economy & Trade

The lowest pension has become 23,552 TL. Do you think it's possible to live on this amount?

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Turkey's lowest pension amount has been raised to 23,552 Turkish Lira.
  • This increase follows a 3,552 Lira rise during a parliamentary budget committee meeting.
  • The article questions whether this amount is sufficient for living expenses, with a significant portion of pensioners receiving the minimum.

The lowest pension amount in Turkey has been increased to 23,552 Turkish Lira, following a decision in the Turkish Grand National Assembly's Planning and Budget Committee. This represents a 3,552 Lira increase from the previous amount.

Recent pension adjustments have seen an increase of 17.26%. However, the number of pensioners receiving the minimum amount has significantly grown. In 2019, only 7% of pensioners received the lowest pension, but by 2026, this figure is projected to rise to 31%, meaning nearly one in three pensioners will be on the minimum.

The article poses a direct question to readers: "Is it possible to live on 23,552 TL?" This prompts a discussion on the adequacy of the new minimum pension in covering basic living costs. The provided responses indicate a strong sentiment that the amount is insufficient, falling below the poverty line and the minimum wage. Critics argue that the 17.26% increase will be quickly eroded by inflation, offering no lasting relief.

Conversely, some responses suggest the increase is adequate within the budget's constraints, viewing it as a necessary step. A portion of respondents remain undecided or have no opinion on the matter. The article highlights the growing dependency on minimum pensions and the ongoing debate about economic security for Turkey's elderly population.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.