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Journals / Fe Dergi / 2026 / Cilt: 18 Sayı: 1

The Role of Pension Transfers in Reducing Older Adults' Poverty In Türkiye: An Analysis from a Gender Perspective

Türkiye’de Emekli Aylığı Transferlerinin Yaşlı Yetişkin Yoksulluğunu Azaltmadaki Rolü: Toplumsal Cinsiyet Perspektifinden Bir Analiz

Hasan Aslan(BARTIN ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-3935-4124
Journal
Fe Dergi
Pages
32–49
Publication Date
2026-06-18
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This study recommends that: (i) minimum pension levels should be raised above the poverty threshold, (ii) the non-contributory scheme should be restructured to provide adequate income security, and (iii) gender-based disparities in pension access should be addressed through inclusive social security policies.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to evaluate the relative poverty levels faced by older adults in Türkiye by comparing them pre- and post-pension transfers provided by the social insurance system.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The study utilizes the Turkish Statistical Institute's Income and Living Conditions Survey microdata sets for the years 2005 to 2022.
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Conclusion & Impact:This study recommends that: (i) minimum pension levels should be raised above the poverty threshold, (ii) the non-contributory scheme should be restructured to provide adequate income security, and (iii) gender-based disparities in pension access should be addressed through inclusive social security policies.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2005 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Yoksulluk · Yaşlı yetişkin yoksulluğu · Emekli aylığı transferleri

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the relative poverty levels faced by older adults in Türkiye by comparing them pre- and post-pension transfers provided by the social insurance system. The study utilizes the Turkish Statistical Institute's Income and Living Conditions Survey microdata sets for the years 2005 to 2022. Before the transfers, the older adults’ poverty rate averaged 42.2% across all years, while this rate declined to 16.99% with the inclusion of pensions. Poverty rates were much higher for men pre-transfers, but a significant decrease was observed post-transfers. For women, pre-transfer poverty rates increased at lower rates than post-transfer poverty rates. This is likely because gender roles resulting from labour market periods before retirement have led to declines in women's pensions. Although pensions are effective in reducing older adults’ poverty in Türkiye, the inadequacy of minimum pension levels does not provide a sustainable income security. This study recommends that: (i) minimum pension levels should be raised above the poverty threshold, (ii) the non-contributory scheme should be restructured to provide adequate income security, and (iii) gender-based disparities in pension access should be addressed through inclusive social security policies.

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye'de yaşlı yetişkinlerin sosyal sigorta sistemi tarafından sağlanan emeklilik transferleri öncesi ve sonrası karşılaştırılarak karşı karşıya kaldıkları göreli yoksulluk düzeylerini değerlendirmektir. Çalışmada, Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu'nun 2005-2022 yıllarını kapsayan Gelir ve Yaşam Koşulları Araştırması mikro veri setleri kullanılmıştır. Transferler öncesinde yaşlı yetişkinlerin yoksulluk oranı tüm yıllarda ortalama %42,2 iken, emekliliklerin dahil edilmesiyle bu oran %16,99'a düşmüştür. Erkekler için transfer öncesinde yoksulluk oranları çok daha yüksekken, transfer sonrasında önemli düşüşler gözlenmiştir. Kadınlardaysa transfer öncesi yoksulluk oranları, transfer sonrası oranlarından daha düşük oranlarda artmıştır. Bunun nedeni muhtemelen emeklilik öncesi işgücü piyasası dönemlerinden kaynaklanan toplumsal cinsiyet rollerinin kadınların emekli aylıklarında düşüşe yol açmış olmasıdır. Emekli aylıkları yaşlı yetişkinlerin yoksulluğunu azaltmada etkili olsa da, taban aylık seviyelerinin yetersizliği sürdürülebilir bir gelir güvenliği sağlamamaktadır. Bu çalışma şunları önermektedir: (i) taban aylık seviyeleri yoksulluk sınırının üzerine çıkarılmalı, (ii) primsiz rejim yeterli gelir güvenliği sağlayacak şekilde yeniden yapılandırılmalı ve (iii) emekli aylığına erişimdeki cinsiyete dayalı eşitsizlikler kapsayıcı sosyal güvenlik politikalarıyla ele alınmalıdır.

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Cite This Article

Aslan, H. (2026). The Role of Pension Transfers in Reducing Older Adults' Poverty In Türkiye: An Analysis from a Gender Perspective. Fe Dergi, Cilt: 18 Sayı: 1, 32–49. https://doi.org/10.46655/federgi.1707025

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