All eyes on 2026 inflation data: Civil servant and retiree salaries to be determined

The salary increase rates for the first half of 2026 will be finalized with the December inflation data to be announced on January 5. If the 1.08 percent estimate in the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (TCMB) Market Participants Survey is realized, the salary increase for SSK and BAĞ-KUR retirees will rise to 12.41 percent.

DECEMBER INFLATION WILL AFFECT RETIREE AND CIVIL SERVANT SALARIES

Following the minimum wage set at 28 thousand 75 TL net for 2026, 17 million retirees and more than 4 million civil servants are awaiting the inflation data to be announced in December.

With this data, the salary increase for civil servants and retirees for the January-June 2026 period will be determined. While SSK and BAĞ-KUR retirees receive raises based on the last 6 months of inflation, civil servants and civil servant retirees will receive a 6-month inflation adjustment in addition to their collective bargaining agreement raise.

The 5-month inflation data for the second half of the year were as follows: 2.06 percent in July, 2.04 percent in August, 3.23 percent in September, 2.55 percent in October, and 0.87 percent in November.

According to these data, the increase rate for retiree salaries has been finalized at 11.21 percent. If December inflation aligns with the 1.08 percent estimate in the survey, the increase rate for SSK and BAĞ-KUR retiree salaries will be 12.41 percent. In this case, it is stated that the lowest retiree salary, which is 16 thousand 881 TL, could rise to 18 thousand 975 TL.

Expectations for civil servants and civil servant retirees for 2026 are also becoming clearer. The 8th Term Collective Bargaining Agreement provides for an 11 percent raise and a 1,000 TL flat increase for the first half of 2026. When the inflation adjustment is added, the total increase is expected to be between 18.7 percent and 20.5 percent. With this increase, the lowest civil servant retiree salary is projected to rise from 22 thousand 670 TL to 27 thousand 916 TL. Additionally, salaries for some positions (such as teachers, police officers, and specialist doctors) are expected to reach higher levels. For civil servant salaries, a level of 62 thousand 456 TL is projected.