Those Affected by Age in Retirement (EYT)

EYT, the term “Individuals Affected by Age” refers to individuals who meet the required number of premium days and service duration criteria but have not yet reached the statutory retirement age. This phenomenon has emerged as a consequence of reforms in the social security system and demographic shifts. Legislation published in the Official Gazette provides the legal definition of cases falling under EYT, while regulatory statements from the Social Security Institution (SGK) clarify its practical dimensions.

The origins of EYT lie in the social security reforms implemented in 1999. These reforms introduced fundamental changes in the determination of retirement age and the application of premium day requirements. Minutes from the relevant legislative processes of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) document the details of the process and the debates within the Assembly. The measures introduced during this period have become foundational pillars of the social security system as enduring practices.

According to legislation, individuals covered by EYT are those who have fulfilled the required number of premium days and service duration but have not yet reached the statutory retirement age. Relevant texts published in the Official Gazette clearly specify these conditions. Debates and approved bill proposals in the TBMM elaborate on which criteria were prioritized and which groups are eligible for this regulation. The SGK’s regulatory practices further define the conditions individuals must meet to qualify for rights under EYT.

Based on TBMM debates and approved bill proposals as well as SGK regulatory practices, the following criteria must be met for individuals to qualify under EYT:

· Number of Premium Days: The insured person must have completed the specified number of premium days throughout their recorded social security history. The bill proposals debated in the TBMM calculate this number based on the insured’s past premium payment records, with full compliance being the essential requirement.

· Service Duration: The insured person must have completed a minimum annual service duration. This is measured as the accumulated service time according to the annual benchmarks established by the system during their working life.

· Failing to Reach the Statutory Retirement Age: Even if the insured person fulfills the aforementioned premium day and service duration criteria, they must not yet have reached the retirement age as defined by law. This condition defines individuals covered by EYT as being “held back by age.”

· General Scope: According to bills approved by the TBMM, all insured persons who meet the required number of premium days and service duration but have not yet reached the statutory retirement age are eligible for EYT benefits. This includes both public and private sector workers.

· Gender-Based Provisions: Current debates examine whether differences in premium day requirements or service duration exist between male and female insured persons. Some bill proposals include provisions aimed at ensuring gender equality, while additional regulatory measures have been introduced to eliminate disparities in practice.

· Regular and Complete Premium Payments: Consistent and uninterrupted premium payments throughout the insured person’s working life are a critical factor in the SGK’s documentation and verification processes. Incomplete or irregular premium payments may obstruct the qualification process.

· Completeness of Documentation and Records: Under SGK procedures, the insured person’s premium days, service duration, and employment records must be accurately and fully registered. Complete submission of documents and successful verification processes are mandatory for an individual to be assessed under EYT.

· Adherence to Legal Application Procedures: Insured persons must submit their claims in a timely and procedurally correct manner. Applications submitted in accordance with the procedures and principles established by the TBMM and SGK play a critical role in the successful processing of eligibility.

Sentence, through TBMM bill proposals, requires that insured persons meet a specific number of premium days and service duration while not yet reaching the statutory retirement age; meanwhile, the SGK mandates regular premium payments, complete submission of documentation, and proper adherence to application procedures as prerequisites for exercising these rights. These criteria represent structural reforms designed to enable individuals to acquire retirement rights while ensuring the sustainability of the social security system.

The aging of Türkiye’s demographic structure is one of the key factors underpinning the EYT issue. Data provided by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) on age group distributions, labor force participation rates, and retirement expectations are critical for assessing the sustainability of the social security system. These data clearly illustrate the growing number of individuals within the EYT category and the resulting pressure on the social security framework.

The economic dimension of EYT has significant effects on the state budget, social security expenditures, and the labor market. TÜİK data provide statistical analyses of demographic changes and financial obligations within the retirement system, while reports from the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) offer valuable macroeconomic analyses and medium-term economic projections. Against this backdrop, the sustainability impacts of EYT-related regulations on the state budget, the dynamics of working life, and transformations in the labor market are examined in detail.