Turkey debates pension rules on early insurance entries and filing dates

Social security expert İsa Karakaş explained that premiums paid before age 18 are counted toward the total contribution days for a pension, but the insured period normally begins when the person turns 18. An exception applies to entries made before 1 April 1981, when the insured period starts from the first registration date. He also noted that a possible phased‑retirement (kademeli emeklilik) scheme could allow early entries between 9 September 1999 and 30 April 2008 to be considered without the usual 18‑year rule.

Retirement specialist Ahmet Kıvanç clarified that the “last 7‑year rule” was repealed for workers who began employment before 30 April 2008; for later entrants the pension is calculated based on the statutory regime where the longest service was recorded, not on the final seven calendar years. He warned that the date a retirement application is filed markedly influences the benefit: applications submitted by 31 December 2026 receive an additional inflation‑adjustment multiplier of about 32 %, whereas filings in 2027 will not benefit from that increase. Both experts cautioned against fictitious registrations and highlighted special cases, such as court‑approved adult status for certain young workers.