The deplorable situation of 16 million retirees, who have served their country for years by working, producing and paying taxes, continues in 2024.
Retirees, who have suffered serious loss of rights due to the laws and regulations enacted for 22 years, are not hopeful for the new year.
Social Insurance Institution (SSK) and Insuranced Self-employed Institution (Bağ-Kur) retirement increase is 37.57, civil servant pension increase is 49.25, and the pensions have become clear if no increase is made under the name of pro-rata or welfare share.
In addition, increases made under the name of pensions and welfare shares also cause a decrease in future pensions.
On the other hand, as the gap between minimum wage and pensions gradually widens, the circle of poverty into which retirees are placed is widening.
So much so that, according to official figures, 2 million retirees and according to estimates, 4 million retirees continue to work to make ends meet.
We talked about all these problems and more with United Retirees Union President Mahmut Şengül and Economist Uğur Civelek…
“WE WANT A RADICAL REGULATION IN SALARY INCREASE RATES”
Stating the demands of the retirees, United Pensioners Union President Mahmut Şengül stated that a new regulation in pensions is essential.
"We want a radical regulation in pension payment rates and salary increase rates. There are millions of retirees whose basic salary does not reach 7 thousand 500 TL. As retirees, we want the lowest pension to be determined for retirees, just like the minimum wage, which is the lowest employee wage. It is very important that this is determined as the root salary. This should be at a level determined by inflation every year. Otherwise, the salary gap between retirees will continue to widen. In addition, the 49.25 salary increase given to retired civil servants today will be insufficient even if it is given to normal pensions. When March comes, this increase rate will evaporate from our pockets," Şengül said.
“16 MILLION PENSIONERS REPRESENT 85 MILLION TURKEY”
Mahmut Şengül stated that a salary increase for retirees will not heal any wounds under Turkey's conditions.
"The purchasing power of retirees decreases with each passing year. It is not possible to save this job with welfare allowance and a linear increase. As retirees, we do not find the welfare share and the prorated raise right. Because in the next raise period, it does not affect the retiree's salary since the root salaries are taken as basis by deducting the progressive increase and welfare share. There are more than 16 million retirees. So many retirees expect reward for their labor, not charity. Because we, retirees, paid the salaries we received in advance and provided added value for the development of the country. Therefore, retirees now want to be rewarded for their hard work. Also, it should not be forgotten that 16 million retirees represent 85 million people in Turkey," Şengül added.
“WE ARE ENTERING INTO A VERY DIFFERENT PERIOD FOR RETIRED PEOPLE”
Economist Uğur Civelek, who evaluates the Turkish economy through retirees, "We are moving into a very different era for retirees. I do not believe that those in economic management can do what they think. We will see this in the short term. The biggest cost of this will fall on the shoulders of retirees. We now see that the gap between the minimum wage and pensions is increasing. This shows that poverty in Turkey will increase further. This will have social, political and economic costs. Starting from the economy, Türkiye will become an ungovernable country. Economic policies are ineffective in a country where 80 percent of the population lives below the poverty level," he said.
“MAY GOD HELP OUR PENSIONERS”
Pointing to the local elections, Uğur Civelek said, "Everything that is said to be done in favor of retirees right now is completely political. Some things are being done for retirees to show off during the elections and there is a money scam involved. In fact, they do not improve the situation of retirees. They are actually pushing the retirees off the cliff with their surging raises and welfare shares. In Turkey, budget balances are problematic and the deficit of the social security system is out of control. If you allow these problems to fester, you are pushing the very people you claim to protect off the cliff. They do nothing to solve the retiree's problems. May God help our retirees."