Millions of employees and retirees have finalized raise rates: The lowest monthly pension became 23 thousand lira

Following the official announcement of June inflation data, the raise rates for the salaries of millions of civil servants and civil servant retirees in Turkey have been finalized. These increases, valid from the second half of the year, affect a broad spectrum, including SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees. As a result of the final adjustments and calculations, it was determined that the lowest monthly pension exceeded the 23 thousand lira limit. This development directly concerns a large mass struggling with the cost of living, while the schedule regarding when the salaries will be deposited has also become clear. Shaped by the demands of civil servant and retiree unions and government policies, the raise table remains the most important item on the economic agenda.

In the calculations made for civil servants and civil servant retirees, the method of applying the collective bargaining increase together with the inflation difference was adopted. In this context, the raise rates for workers and civil servants became clear along with the inflation rates formed in the first six months of the year, and salary raises were determined. Thanks to the base payment application for retiree pensions, the situation of the lowest-paid retiree was improved and the 23 thousand lira threshold was exceeded. The raise rates for SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees, however, were realized based on inflation figures determined every six months compared to the previous six months, unlike civil servants. Within the framework of this system, the increases reflected to all retiree groups starting in July are seen as a significant improvement when compared to the same periods of the previous year. All details regarding when payments will be deposited into bank accounts and who will benefit from these raises at what rate were announced by the relevant institutions.

Following Cabinet meetings and the clarification of inflation data, the raise decisions became official and were announced. Prior to these decisions affecting millions of citizens, mathematical calculations were made taking into account market expectations and the increasing cost of living. The lowest retiree pension being 23 thousand lira was described by administrators as a step taken towards retirees, with an emphasis on improvement. With the importance of cash support increasing against rising food prices and housing costs, citizens are eagerly researching when they will receive their salaries. According to announcements, while the salary payment schedule clears up, the salary differences and July raise payments for public employees and retirees will be made on the planned dates. This process has been of critical importance in determining and applying extra raise rates to retiree pensions.

The demands for welfare share and blanket raises frequently voiced by retirees have been partially met during this process. In particular, raising the lowest salary to 23 thousand lira is evaluated as a development directly concerning approximately 7 million retirees whose salaries are below this level. While unions and retiree associations continue to express different views on whether these increases are sufficient, raise supports carry great importance due to the difficulty of economic conditions. The picture emerging as a result of negotiations between civil servant unions and the government includes not only salary increases but also changes in taxes and deductions. The new rates, applied starting from the beginning of July, will be valid until the end of the year and will directly affect citizens' budget planning.

Looking at the payment schedule, the practice of depositing retiree salaries in sequence on certain days of each month will continue. SSK retirees will see their salaries in their accounts between the 17th and 24th of the month, while Bağ-Kur retirees will see them after the 25th of the month. Payments to civil servant retirees under the Pension Fund are generally made starting from the 1st of the month. Although a portion of the raises to be made in the second half of the year will be reflected in July and the rest in January, inflation differences have already been reflected in the accounts. Citizens have the opportunity to examine the amounts and raise differences reflected to their salaries by frequently checking their bank accounts. With the completion of this process, the new raised salaries that civil servants and retirees will receive will continue to shape expectations regarding economic life.