Hundreds of thousands of people in our country are affected by the retirement-age issue known as “stuck by retirement age” (EYT). If no new regulation is introduced, a large number of people will continue to be disadvantaged. This problem originated from a social security reform. Although many people met the conditions for retirement under previous rules, changes introduced by the reform left a significant number unable to retire.
Former Minister of Labor and Social Security Mehmet Müezzinoğlu stated that no work had been carried out specifically for those stuck by the retirement age, which disappointed many. However, with the recent cabinet reshuffle and the appointment of a new minister, a new hope has emerged for affected people. Many directly impacted have organized, especially on social media, to explain to the new minister, Jülide Sarıeroğlu, the rights they have been deprived of and the hardships they face. While ministerial changes can affect how such problems are addressed, those suffering due to the issue are expecting a detailed work plan.
Is There Any Initiative for Those Stuck by Retirement Age?
Former Minister Müezzinoğlu argued that system changes inevitably produce various grievances and treated this as an expected side effect, indicating no changes were planned at the time and disappointing EYT victims. With the change of minister, however, many wonder whether any new regulations are being considered.
Despite significant public pressure on the EYT issue, Labor and Social Security Minister Jülide Sarıeroğlu has not yet issued any encouraging statements. The matter continues to be raised frequently not only in public discourse but also in parliament by multiple deputies.
So what rights are being denied to those affected by the EYT threshold? Those familiar with the topic know the age limit problem brings serious difficulties that are not always obvious. Although many EYT individuals have fulfilled the required insurance contribution days and thus earned the right to retire, they are unable to access the full range of social and health benefits that retirement should provide. While they are entitled to retire, many are forced to pay general health insurance premiums in order to remain covered, because they are barred from accessing retirement-linked health insurance due to the age restriction. This places hundreds of thousands of people under financial strain and forces them to expend extra effort just to secure basic health services that should be guaranteed by a social state.
What Specific Problems Do Those Stuck by Retirement Age Face?
In addition, thousands who have completed the required premium days but are blocked by the age limit continue working in the public sector to avoid the economic hardship retirement would bring under current conditions. Keeping these workers in their positions reduces overall job performance and prevents openings that would create employment opportunities for others. Therefore, an immediate plan to address the age limit is necessary to restore rights to their rightful holders. Otherwise, many citizens who have completed the required days will still be unable to retire and will be forced to pay at least 53 TL simply to maintain health insurance coverage. Beyond that, 53 TL is not affordable for everyone.
So far, Minister J. Sarıeroğlu has responded only with a written statement, and the ministry’s comments have been largely superficial rather than addressing the core issues faced by those affected. It appears no substantive work on the problem is planned in the near term.
Those disadvantaged by the EYT reform want, not early retirement privileges, but to receive the social and health benefits they have earned by completing required contribution days and meeting age thresholds—benefits that should be provided free of charge to entitled citizens.
Lawmakers supporting the affected citizens have submitted written questions to Minister J. Sarıeroğlu. The ministry, however, has indicated it does not currently favor a change, arguing that a regulation would impose a burden on the state. Yet the state’s duty is to honor the rights of hundreds of thousands of public-sector workers who have supported government institutions through their work and to ensure they can reach deserved retirement as soon as possible. Until ministers present concrete, hopeful solutions, each step taken remains without results.
The EYT problem looks set to remain on the national agenda for some time. One consequence for those affected is increasing difficulty finding work as they grow older. The only relief the ministry has granted to EYT victims so far is a reduction in general health insurance premiums. But in a time when many struggle to make ends meet, even 53 TL can be unaffordable for numerous citizens. A timely regulation from the government is needed.