Three basic approaches stand out to ensure that the new regulation for retirees in the new year is fair and sustainable:
1. Joint protection increase for every retiree:
Efforts are being made to create a common increase mechanism that will protect the purchasing power of all retirees against inflation. Thus, no retiree will be deprived of general income protection just because he is in a certain age or premium category.
2. Targeted social support for low-wage earners:
Low-income earners and economically vulnerable retirees can be empowered with a social support mechanism separate from the contributory pension system. Support can be designed based on real living conditions and needs, as far as possible, and not just on the nominal level of the pension.
3. Protection of the monthly right earned in return for premium:
The retirement benefits of citizens who pay more premiums, work on high premium earnings, and are insured for a long time will be protected. Supplements made for social support purposes will not eliminate the monthly premium payment.
The age criterion will be used as a complementary element within this triple structure, especially determining the need for social support.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
The quest for justice in pensions cannot be carried out independently of budget realities. The number of retirees, life expectancy, employee-retiree balance and the financing of the social security system determine the long-term effects of the regulation.
However, financial sustainability alone is not a sufficient justification. It should be clearly stated to which segments, with what criteria and to what extent public resources are transferred.
At this point, it is important to publish actuarial and distributional analyzes showing the results of the increases to be applied to different retiree groups during the preparation of the regulation.
For example;
- What increase will retirees with 7 thousand, 8 thousand, 9 thousand and more premium days receive?
- How will those who retire with different premium-based earnings on the same premium day be affected?
- How will those receiving a slightly higher and mid-level monthly salary benefit from the new regulation?
- By what mechanism will social support be provided to older retirees?
- How will the new system affect the monthly differences between retirees over time?
The answers to these questions are critical to measuring the regulation's claim of justice and fairness.
RETIREMENT SUPPORT, PREMIUM REQUIREMENT AND EQUITY
The main goal of the regulation prepared by the AK Party regarding pensions will not only be to increase pensions, but also to strengthen confidence in the pension system.
It is possible to provide social support to elderly retirees, increase low monthly salaries and maintain budget discipline. However, while achieving these goals, the gains of citizens who pay more premiums, make higher contributions in working life and finance their retirement rights for many years should not be weakened.
Fair retirement system; It is a system that protects those in need, respects the rights acquired in return for premiums, treats those in similar situations similarly, and explains the differences with objective reasons.
The success of the new regulation will be measured by the clear and convincing answer to the question of who gets more or less raises, as well as who gets more raises and why.
Retirement is not a blessing, but a right earned through premiums paid throughout your working life. The duty of the social state is to protect this right, eliminate income inequalities and ensure the humane living conditions of retirees.
This is the expectation for a just tomorrow.
