Retirees keep a close watch on holiday bonuses: How much will the 2025 bonuses be?

With Ramadan Bayram set to be celebrated on March 30, activity has begun behind the scenes regarding holiday bonuses.

As expectations for an increase in the bonuses, which are paid twice a year, grow stronger, statements from government officials are being followed closely.

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, in his latest statement on the matter, did not completely rule out the possibility of a raise, saying, "Just as there was an increase in previous years, we will conduct our evaluations."

However, AKP Group Chairman Abdullah Güler stated that such a study is not currently on their agenda.

DECISION PENDING

The Ministry of Treasury and Finance and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security will make a decision while taking budget balances into account.

There are 16 million 600 thousand retirees in Turkey, and the impact of any potential increase on the budget is being calculated carefully.

There was an expectation that holiday bonuses would be discussed at the Economic Coordination Board (EKK) meeting held on February 21. However, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz announced that the bonus issue was not on the EKK agenda. This situation has led to uncertainty regarding expectations for a raise.

HOW MUCH COULD HOLIDAY BONUSES INCREASE?

Economic experts are making 2025 retiree bonus estimates based on different scenarios using inflation rates:

Based on the 24 percent inflation target: 3,720 TL

Taking into account the 15.75 percent second-period inflation data: 3,472.50 TL

According to the 44.38 percent annual inflation: 4,331.40 TL

If a 50 percent increase is made as in previous years: 4,500 TL

Especially considering the government's rhetoric of "We will not let retirees be crushed by inflation," it is projected that the most likely figure could be between 3,500 and 4,000 TL.

WHEN WILL THE BONUS RAISE BE ANNOUNCED?

If an increase is to be made, it must be brought to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) at the beginning of March. As in previous years, an official statement from the government is expected in the last week of February or the first week of March.

Holiday bonus payments are generally deposited into accounts one week before the holiday. This year, payments are expected to be made between March 24 and 28.