New regulation for retired employees: The era of 'either pension or work'

It has been noted that the rates of post-retirement employment have risen rapidly in recent years. According to official data, the number of registered working retirees, which was 746 thousand 766 in 2020, reached 945 thousand 700 in 2022. In 2023, with the impact of the EYT (Retirement Age Trainees) regulation, this number showed a significant increase, rising to 1 million 865 thousand. It was announced that this upward trend continued in 2024 and 2025, with the total number of those continuing to work as retirees reaching 2 million 156 thousand as of June 2025. Thus, the share of working retirees within the total number of insured employees rose to 9.2 percent.

MANDATORY CHOICE IN THE NEW REGULATION

It has been stated that a new preparation is on the agenda that concerns large segments of the population who continue to work after retirement due to living conditions. According to the change to be made in the SGK legislation, employees who entered the insurance system after October 2008 will not be able to benefit from the opportunity to both receive a pension and continue working when they reach the retirement stage. In this context, it was stated that individuals who are granted a pension will have to choose whether or not to continue their working life.

According to information reported in Türkiye Gazetesi, when the regulation comes into effect, the era of double income for those who started working after October 2008 will end. It will not be possible to continue working at the moment the retirement application is submitted. It was stated that for those who choose to continue working, their granted pension will be suspended.

SCOPE OF THE REGULATION

It was stated that the regulation in question covers young employees who are many years away from retirement. Accordingly, a male employee whose insurance started after October 2008 will be entitled to retire at age 60 once he completes 7,200 premium days. However, once this person is granted a pension, there will be no opportunity to continue working by paying the Social Security Support Premium (SGDP).

The SGDP is defined as the type of premium collected from those who continue to work after retirement. Through this premium, it was intended for both the retired individual to continue their working life and for additional financing to be provided to the social security system. However, with the new legislative preparation, it is envisaged that the right to work with SGDP will be completely abolished for those insured after October 2008.

News Source: 12punto