Turkey unveils early retirement options and debates interim minimum wage raise

The Turkish government has clarified a new early‑retirement scheme that lets individuals with missing contribution days compensate through birth, military, overseas service or Bağ‑Kur revival. The measures, effective from 2025, set monthly contribution‑gap payments of 8,321.76 TL for birth or military, 11,702.48 TL for overseas service and about 8,971 TL for Bağ‑Kur revivals, based on the gross minimum wage. The plan also expands eligibility for those who missed days under the EYT extension and includes apprenticeship periods.

Separately, officials confirmed that no interim increase to the minimum wage is planned for July, despite a 4.18 % monthly inflation rate in April and a 14.64 % year‑to‑date rise. The net minimum wage stands at 28,075.50 TL (gross 33,030 TL) after a 27 % hike at the start of 2026. Abdullah Güler, AK Party group leader, said, "There is currently no work on this agenda; we have always stood by low‑income earners and pensioners and will continue to do so."