Millions of retirees in Turkey are waiting for official inflation data due on July 3 to learn how much their pensions could increase in the second half of the year.
TurkStat will announce June inflation figures on July 3, revealing the inflation rate for the first six months of 2026. The data will determine the basis for pension adjustments.
The parliament previously set the minimum pension for workers and self-employed retirees at 20,000 Turkish lira ($434) as of Jan. 1, 2026. Any increase to that minimum pension level will require a new legal regulation.
Quoting officials from the ruling AKP, ANKA news agency reported that pension increases vary among private-sector retirees (SSK), self-employed retirees (Bağ-Kur), civil servants and retired civil servants. “Adjustments to the minimum pension are generally based on the increase granted to retired civil servants. However, the higher rate would be taken into account when determining the final increase.”
A separate decision on whether retirees receiving the minimum pension will also receive an additional welfare-related increase, known as a “prosperity share,” is expected after inflation figures are released and discussed in a follow-up meeting.
According to TurkStat data, the five-month inflation-based increase for retirees had reached 16.6% by May. For civil servants and retired civil servants, the total increase, including the inflation gap, stood at 12.4%.
Pension increases carry significant political importance as retirees make up a large voting bloc. In recent years, some retiree groups criticized the government for pension adjustments that fail to keep pace with rising living costs. Due to the high number of retirees, more than 17 million, the governments usually increase the pensions in higher amounts prior to the elections.
