Turkey finalizes July salary hikes for millions of pensioners and civil servants

Millions of Turkish pensioners and civil servants are set to receive significant salary increases in July, following the finalization of inflation adjustment figures. SSK and Bağ-Kur pensioners will benefit from a 17.76% raise, while civil servants and their retirees will see a 13.52% increase. This adjustment is based on the June inflation data and collective bargaining agreements. The minimum pension, a key focus for approximately 5.1 million low-income pensioners, will be raised from 20,000 Turkish Lira to 23,552 Turkish Lira. Those receiving the lowest pensions are anticipating the difference to be paid in August, pending the parliamentary approval of the related legislation. The parliamentary budget and planning commission is scheduled to discuss the bill on July 14. For civil servants, the raise includes a 7% contractual increase for the second half of 2026, combined with the inflation adjustment. This brings the lowest monthly salary for a high school graduate civil servant to 67,994 Turkish Lira, further increased to 68,994 Turkish Lira with an additional flat-rate increase of 1,000 Turkish Lira. University graduates will see their salaries rise to 71,839 Turkish Lira with similar adjustments. The minimum pension for civil servant retirees will increase to 31,524 Turkish Lira. The article also traces the history of the minimum pension, noting its gradual increase from 1,000 Turkish Lira in 2019 to 20,000 Turkish Lira in January 2026, highlighting the government's ongoing efforts to adjust pension levels.