What is the private pension system, and what does it do?
Türkiye’s Private Pension System (BES) helps you maintain your standard of living in retirement. It can also be used as an additional source of income when you need it, not only in retirement. It supports regular saving, and together with the state contribution it can help your savings grow. It can also provide additional income in retirement.
The state contributes 20% of the contributions you pay into BES, and over the long term this can help your savings grow substantially.
How much you accumulate depends on your contributions, the state contribution, fund returns and how long you remain in the system. Over a longer period you have a greater chance of building a larger savings balance and, in turn, a higher retirement income.
Eligibility: Anyone with legal capacity may join BES, regardless of age, occupation or whether they are covered by SGK.
What is the state contribution?
For every 100 TL paid into your private pension contract, the state pays 20 TL into the same contract. That extra 20 TL on every 100 TL is the state contribution.
The amount the state pays into the pension account, to support the growth of long-term savings, is an additional source of income for the future.
The state contribution paid for each participant cannot exceed 20% of that year’s gross minimum wage. The limit is calculated per participant. In a calendar year, the contributions paid for a participant and used to calculate the state contribution cannot exceed the total gross minimum wage for the calculation period in force when that period ends.
The maximum state contribution that can be received in 2026 is 79,272 TL. On the 2026 total gross minimum wage of 396,360 TL, an additional 79,272 TL accumulates in the state contribution account for that year.
Vesting periods for the state contribution
To benefit from the contribution the state pays in, the following periods apply:
- If you leave within the first three years, you do not receive the state contribution.
- At the end of the third year, 15%.
- At the end of the sixth year, 35%.
- At the end of the tenth year, 60%.
- When you become entitled to retirement, you can receive the whole of the state contribution.
What is a pension investment fund?
A pension investment fund is an investment fund set up by a pension company so that the contributions you pay for retirement can be invested and managed. These funds can provide a return according to their type and the assets they hold.
Can the fund allocation be changed?
Yes. You can change your fund allocation up to 12 times a year.
How are the funds managed?
Contributions paid into private pension accounts are managed by professional fund managers in the pension investment funds you select.
Current and binding information is set out in the quotation, the plan, the private pension contract and the legislation in force.