Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu defends 40,000 TL pensioner bonuses

Minister of Labour and Social Security Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu has defended the decision to provide a 40,000 TL bonus to approximately 48,500 social insurance pensioners, stating that the payment will not jeopardize the institution's financial stability.

Hasipoğlu reported that the social insurance fund has seen significant improvement over the last two years, moving from a deficit to a surplus. He announced that the fund is expected to reach 19 billion TL by the end of the year. Additionally, the reserve fund has reached a record 1 billion USD in cash and assets.

Addressing criticisms regarding the actuarial balance, the Minister emphasized that the cost of the bonuses—approximately 1.95 billion TL—is manageable given that the annual income from social insurance reaches 56 billion TL. He asserted that the current management has ensured the fund is stronger than ever and capable of sustaining such payments without compromising the future of the insured.