New premium burden on citizens in the government's 'old-age insurance' plan: Those aged 18-65 will pay

Former Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Hüseyin Çelik drew attention to Turkey's rapidly aging population and argued that it might not be possible for the state to finance this process alone. Çelik announced that a new premium system under the name of "old-age insurance" has come to the agenda in this context.

According to a report by the pro-government Türkiye newspaper, Çelik stated that a structure similar to the General Health Insurance is being planned and that this topic is included in the 12th Development Plan and the Presidency's 2026 projection. Çelik said, "Citizens will start paying premiums before they get old. Thus, they will gain the right to benefit from care and support services in their later years."

According to the planning, it is envisaged that citizens between the ages of 18 and 65 will pay premiums. The insurance will be activated the moment the need for care arises.

Çelik said that the system is aimed to be built on an integrated structure involving different institutions, primarily the state, the private sector, and the Ministry of Family and Social Services. Emphasizing that a framework compatible with general health insurance is aimed for, Çelik stated that legal regulations could come to the agenda in the coming years.

News Source: 12punto