Turkey's Gradual Retirement Law Proposal Targets Millions of Workers

A draft law aimed at introducing a gradual retirement system in Turkey is being discussed to address the pension gap for workers who entered the social security system after 8 September 1999 and are not covered by the existing EYT arrangement. The proposal, prepared by the Emeklilikte Adalet Derneği (EMADDER), would allow women who began insurance between 1999 and 2000 to retire at age 43 with 6 400 premium days, and men at age 45 with the same premium requirement. The age and premium‑day thresholds would rise step‑by‑step for later cohorts up to 2008. No law has been enacted yet; various bills have been submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly and must still pass committee and plenary votes before becoming effective. If approved, the reform would affect millions of employees by making retirement ages and contribution periods more predictable and reducing current disparities.