Number of retirees in need of assistance increased 12 times

After the lowest pension was increased to only 16,881 lira, millions were condemned to poverty again. Due to the government's policies that ignore retirees, retirees have also become in need of assistance. The increase in the number of retirees applying for social assistance from the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality has once again revealed the struggle of millions to make ends meet. The number of retirees receiving assistance has increased 12-fold since 2023.

In September 2023, 6,100 retirees benefited from the municipality's aid. This figure rose to 74,421 in June 2025. Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş said, "Retirement should be redefined. It should be associated with a humane life, not poverty. No one in this country should live in fear of not being able to make ends meet after working for years."

Yavaş, who stated that “The lowest retirement salary was 16 thousand 881 TL. This figure has nothing to do with the realities of life,” said, “With rents, bills, medicines, food; how can a retiree get by with this salary? People who have worked hard for years and served their country cannot give their grandchildren pocket money today, and cannot buy something without reading the labels when going to the market.”

EXCEEDED 2 BILLION LIRA

The total meat support provided to retirees by the municipality was 405 million 355 thousand 200 TL, fuel support was 148 million 101 thousand TL. It was stated that 534 million 498 thousand 500 TL of general needs support was provided.

The total amount of all aid provided to retirees was announced as 2 billion 162 million 536 thousand 200 TL. On the other hand, it was stated that 1 billion 74 million 586 thousand 500 TL was paid to the Başkent cards of 74 thousand 421 retired citizens who received aid from the municipality and met the conditions.

88 percent increase in the last year

In June of last year, 39,482 retirees benefited from the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality’s aid. This number increased to 59,733 in January 2025, 63,803 in February 2025, 67,449 in March 2025, and 68,000 in April 2025. The number of retirees benefiting from the municipality’s aid was announced as 72,108 in May 2025 and 74,421 in June 2025. In this context, the increase in the number of retirees benefiting from the municipality’s aid in 12 months reached 88 percent. Retirees had organized nationwide protests on July 3, demanding that their salaries be increased to humane living conditions.