Turkish Retirees Struggle as Limited Pension Hike Looms in 2026
TL
Retirees in Türkiye continue to face severe financial hardship, despite the minimum monthly pension being set at 16,881 TL. Many widows and orphans receiving survivor pensions are left with incomes far below the hunger threshold, making it nearly impossible to cover even basic needs such as housing, food, energy, and transportation.
Daily Survival Challenges
For millions, the cost of living crisis means every day is a struggle to maintain dignity. Rising expenses in essential goods and services continue to erode the quality of life for retirees, leaving them increasingly vulnerable.
Expert’s Warning for 2026
Social Security Expert Özgür Erdursun, writing in Dünya newspaper, stressed that Turkish retirees lack the additional support mechanisms commonly provided across Europe. Erdursun pointed out that most retirees in Türkiye cannot even meet their essential needs when compared with poverty and hunger lines.
He warned that the government’s inflation targets — 12% for 2026 and 8% for 2027 — will severely limit pension increases, resulting in further loss of purchasing power. Erdursun stated: “I estimate the inflation adjustment in January 2026 will remain around 10%. This means retirees’ purchasing power will decline further in 2026.”
The forecast paints a worrying picture: without structural reforms or additional social support, retirees’ financial strain is expected to intensify in the coming years.
