Minister Işıkhan announces: New initiative for retirees

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan reminded that they have declared this year the "Year of the Retiree" and stated that they want retirees to lead a prosperous life in every respect.

Expressing that they have initiated a process starting this year in which the opportunities provided to retirees will diversify and increase, Işıkhan made the following remarks:

"We are moving the Social Security Institution to a new service model. What is this new model? As you know, the SGK was a technical institution that only paid salaries and bonuses to retirees. We are now transforming the SGK into an institution that will also serve our retirees from a social perspective, truly making our retirees stakeholders in the SGK, and one that has a social dimension.

We are giving the SGK a dynamic structure with supply-oriented services that will increase the quality of life of our retirees. Within the scope of this model, a wide range of services will be offered to our retirees, from health services to social activities."

Işıkhan stated that a communication platform will be established where retirees can directly convey their demands and expectations and provide feedback, and explained that retirees will be able to reach SGK consultants with a single phone call.

Stating that they will implement technological solutions to make the lives of retirees easier, Işıkhan said that they will soon open the "emekliler.gov.tr" website, which they created to announce new services for retirees, to access.

Expressing that there is support from many stakeholders in the implementation of new services for retirees, Işıkhan continued his speech as follows:

"I would like to share with you some of the support that has become clear as a result of our meetings with our stakeholders. Dormitories within the Credit and Dormitories Institution (KYK) that are suitable during the summer months will be opened for free use by our retirees for a one-month period. In addition, our Ministry of Youth and Sports has decided to open its facilities to all our retirees free of charge. Our retirees will be able to benefit from public guesthouses, teacher houses, social facilities, and guest houses located in all provinces with a 15 percent discount, just like public officials. Special discounts are provided to our retirees in the guesthouses and social facilities of our unions.

A special 'Retiree Package' has been created by PTTcell for retirees. A special discount is provided to retirees at PTT Cargo. A 10 percent discount has been provided for retirees on main line trains at TCDD throughout the year. Within the scope of the cooperation made with the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), we are expanding the 3rd Age University based on Intergenerational Solidarity and Active Aging. Furthermore, within the framework of the protocol we signed with banks and our domestic and national payment system, Troy, discounts will be defined for bill payments, pharmacy and market expenditures within a determined upper limit, and in clothing stores through retiree cards."

Stating that with the new SGK service model, they aim for a system where retirees are actively involved in society and can even produce added value, Işıkhan noted that they continue their meetings with ministries and institutions and plan to bring many more innovations to retirees.

Işıkhan stated that they will continue to work so that retirees can have a healthier, happier, and more peaceful retirement period, and said, "We know the expectations of our valuable retirees very well. Be assured that we are committed to our 12th Development Plan targets and the Medium-Term Program.

With an economic policy carried out meticulously and with discipline, we aim to reach a position that will meet your expectations and permanently increase your welfare."