All eyes on Friday: The figure discussed for the lowest pension has emerged

Once the inflation rate is announced on Friday, January 3, the rate of increase that SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees will receive based on the last 6 months of inflation will become clear. According to a report by the pro-government newspaper Türkiye Gazetesi, it is estimated that a 16-17 percent raise will be applied to pensions. It was also learned that the addition of a welfare share is considered unlikely.

While all eyes are on the lowest pension, the figure being discussed has leaked from the corridors. While different views have been brought to the agenda on this issue, assessments from the government side suggest that the figure will not exceed 14,000-14,500. Within the AKP, the estimate is that the lowest pension will be 14,200 liras.

Currently, there are nearly 4 million retirees in the 'lowest pension' category. The pensions of 2 million 50 thousand of these individuals are 10,700 liras or less. In other words, the pension of someone receiving 12,450 liras is topped up to 12,500, and the pension of someone receiving 7,400 liras is also topped up to 12,500.

For this reason, how many people will benefit from the increase to be made to the lowest pension and the cost to the budget will be effective in determining the figure. After the work on this issue is completed, a report containing alternative scenarios and the cost to the budget will be presented to AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The final decision will be made by Erdoğan together with his economic team.

In the corridors, a proposal is also being discussed to apply the salary increase for those whose pensions are topped up to 12,500 liras based on the 12,500 lira figure rather than the base pension. If this proposal is accepted, an increase based on the 6-month inflation rate will be on the agenda, using the 12,500 lira lowest pension as a base, even if the base pension is 7,400 liras. Thus, the pensions of the 3 million 718 thousand retirees who currently receive 12,500 liras could rise to 14,500 liras.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL TO BE SUBMITTED

Since the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) has suspended its work until January 7, the legislative proposal regarding the increase to be made to the lowest pension will come to the agenda after this date. In the omnibus bill to be prepared by the AKP group, in addition to the increase in the lowest pension, there will also be a regulation regarding the 1,000 lira minimum wage support to be given to employers for the year 2025.