Early retirement practice in Türkiye and young generations' reactions: An analysis of intergenerational solidarity

Abstract

In social insurance systems—particularly in pay-as-you-go (PAYG)models—pensions are financed by contributions from the younger population when individuals encounter the risk of old age. Thus, the cycle continues as each generation supports the previous one. However, this solidarity may be undermined if the system, which is founded on the principle of trust, grants benefits to those who are not yet exposed to the risk of old age. In Türkiye, the old-age insurance system has frequently been subject to political interventions, especially during election periods,which has weakened the principle of solidarity in its operation. Following the previous experiences, Law No. 7438—enacted in 2023—granted pension rights to those insured on or before September 8, 1999, provided they meet all conditions except for the age requirement. This legislation reopened the path to retirement after 20 years of work for women and 25years for men. While the law received strong support from those within its scope of the law, it sparked criticism, particularly among younger generations who were excluded from its scope. This study aims to explore the support and opposition triggered by the implementation of Law No.7438, based on post titles and user comments (entries) published on the online platform Ekşi Sözlük. Using content analysis, five thematic categories were identified to achieve this purpose. According to the findings, 64% of the 103 titles and 67% of the most popular 400 entries in the 10 titles with the highest number of entries (most-discussed) express opposition to the law. The most prevalent theme was “Generation X, Y, Z/ Child / Young / Old.” Additionally, 129 of the sampled entries (i.e., over32%) emphasized intergenerational perspectives. The law has thus generated visible tension between “non-elderly elders” and younger generations.