Expectations for a raise in the retiree holiday bonus... Three scenarios on the table: The most realistic expectation...

The countdown has begun for the retiree holiday bonus. With only a few days left until the Ramadan Feast, millions of retirees have turned their eyes to the increase to be made in the bonus amount. How the government will act regarding the bonuses, which were increased to 3,000 TL with a 50 percent raise last year, is a matter of curiosity.

WHEN WILL THE PAYMENTS BE MADE?

Holiday bonuses will be deposited into accounts before the Ramadan Feast, which will begin on March 30. As in previous years, payments are expected to be made one week to ten days before the holiday. According to experts, it is likely that the official announcement regarding the bonus raise will be made by March 10.

THREE DIFFERENT RAISE SCENARIOS ON THE AGENDA

Experts are focusing on three different formulas regarding the bonus increase:

15.75 percent increase: If the 15.75 percent raise applied to retiree pensions in January is also applied to bonuses, the amount is expected to rise to 3,500 TL.

50 percent raise: If a 50 percent increase is made as it was last year, holiday bonuses could rise to 4,500 TL.

Raise at the inflation rate: In the event of an increase at the annual inflation rate, it may come to the agenda for bonuses to reach 4,500 TL and be paid as 9,000 TL in total.

"A HIGHER RAISE IS POSSIBLE"

Speaking on A Haber, Takvim Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Faruk Erdem stated that they have made different calculations regarding the raise, saying, "If a 15.75 percent increase is made, the bonus could rise to 3,500 TL. If there is a raise at the annual inflation rate, this figure could rise to 4,500 TL. However, it is also possible for the government to make a higher increase."

Social Security Expert Özgür Erdursun, in his statement on TGRT Haber, stated that the bonuses remain low compared to the minimum wage, saying, "In 2018, the holiday bonus corresponded to 62 percent of the net minimum wage. If the same rate were applied today, it would need to rise to 13,850 TL. However, the realistic expectation is in the 3,500-4,000 TL range."

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED

The possible raise to be made in retiree bonuses is expected to be clarified by the government in the coming days. If no changes are made to the current law, retirees will receive their 3,000 TL bonuses as they did last year. However, the statements made indicate that the possibility of an increase is high.