Deductions of up to 25 percent from pensions set to become law

A new legislative proposal has been submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey that provides for deductions of up to 25 percent from the pensions of retirees who have debts to the Social Security Institution (SGK), including General Health Insurance (GSS) premiums. This regulation aims to provide additional resources to the social security system, but it could lead to a tightening of retirees' budgets.

According to a report in Sözcü, SGK expert İsmail Sevinç stated that this practice is already in effect but is now being placed on a legal footing. Sevinç said, "This deduction could cover the retiree's insurance premium debt and GSS debt, or the SGK debt belonging to people working for the retiree could be collected from the retired employer's pension. In this case, the money the retiree receives will decrease."

A 2025 decision by the Court of Cassation to unify case law had expanded the authority of banks to intervene directly in pensions for consumer loan receivables. This situation had increased concerns among retirees regarding the protection of their social security rights. Now, the possibility of pension deductions is unsettling retirees who receive a monthly pension of 16 thousand 881 liras.

Statute of limitations on GSS debts

On the other hand, it is stated that with a new proposal, the GSS debt of approximately 10 million citizens, which exceeds a total of 100 billion TL, will be deferred. Due to the statute of limitations, the 2015 GSS premium debt of 1 million 491 thousand people, totaling 3 billion 128 million TL, will be completely erased.

News Source: 12punto