AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala announced that efforts to improve pension payments are continuing. In an interview published on November 2, Ala did not share any specific rates, scope, or effective dates before the details of the regulation are finalized.
In his assessment of the economic agenda, Ala stated that increasing the income level of citizens is among their priorities and expressed that they are aware of the difficulties pensioners are facing due to post-pandemic conditions and global economic developments.
The statement did not provide information on whether a potential regulation would cover only those receiving the lowest pensions or if it would also include SSK, Bağ-Kur, and civil servant pensioners. It is also not yet clear whether the work will bring an additional increase to the current raise system.
HOW WILL THE JANUARY RAISE BE CALCULATED?
Pensions for SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees are increased twice a year under Law No. 5510 by the rate of the six-month CPI increase. Inflation in the July-December period will be the deciding factor for the increase to be applied in January 2027.
The same method was applied for the July 2026 raise, and since the CPI increase in the January-June period was 17.76 percent, pensions were increased by this rate. As of the end of September, the three-month cumulative inflation covering July, August, and September was 5.57 percent.
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, the monthly CPI increase was 1.78 percent in July, 1.84 percent in August, and 1.84 percent in September. As of September 2026, annual inflation was announced at 29.73 percent, and the increase compared to December of the previous year was 24.32 percent.
A different calculation is applied for civil servants and civil servant pensioners. According to the decision of the Public Officials Arbitration Board dated August 26, 2025, a 7 percent increase is valid for the second half of 2026. The collective bargaining increase for the first half of 2027 was set at 5 percent. The portion of the July-December inflation exceeding 7 percent will also be reflected in salaries as an inflation difference.
The lowest pension was at the level of 20 thousand liras in January 2026. The amount was increased to 23 thousand 552 liras starting from the July 2026 payment period. The Social Security Institution (SGK) had announced that the difference payments resulting from this increase were made on August 7, 2026. The lowest pension does not automatically increase by the six-month inflation rate; a legal regulation is required for a new increase.
In the 2027-2029 Medium-Term Program, the year-end inflation forecast for 2026 was included as 28.4 percent. If this forecast is realized, the inflation increase in the July-December period is expected to be approximately 9.04 percent. In this scenario, while the January increase for SSK and Bağ-Kur pensioners is calculated to be around 9 percent, it is estimated that the total of the inflation difference and the collective bargaining raise for civil servants and civil servant pensioners will reach approximately 7 percent.
The exact rates to be applied in January 2027 will be clarified after the six-month inflation data is completed. Which pensioner groups the improvement work mentioned by Ala will cover will be determined by the announcement to be made by the government.
News Source: 12punto
