Bağ-Kur retirement reform to reduce premium days to 7,200

Preparations are nearing completion for a legal reform in Turkey aimed at reducing the required premium days for Bağ-Kur (4/1-b) insured individuals. The proposed regulation intends to lower the retirement threshold from 9,000 days to 7,200 days, effectively allowing eligible workers to retire approximately five years earlier.

According to social security experts, the reform is specifically designed to benefit small tradespeople and artisans, such as local shopkeepers, barbers, and tailors. However, the scope of the regulation is limited; company partners and owners of large businesses are expected to remain under the current 9,000-day requirement. Additionally, women already covered under the EYT (Retirement Age Victims) regulation, who already qualify with 7,200 days, will not receive additional benefits from this specific change.

Technical actuarial calculations and cost analyses have reportedly been finalized. The next step involves submitting the legislative proposal to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), with the reform expected to enter into force next year. To qualify for retirement under the new system, individuals must also have no outstanding premium debts at the time of their application.