What is BES?
BES (Bireysel Emeklilik Sistemi — Individual Retirement System) is a long-term savings and investment platform regulated by the state. Participants make voluntary contributions that are invested in funds during the accumulation period. On reaching retirement age (56 years of age and a minimum of 10 years' membership), participants receive their accumulated savings either as a lump sum or as a regular annuity.
BES is separate from the mandatory SGK (Social Security Institution) pension system; it provides supplementary retirement income, not a replacement for it.
What is the government contribution in BES?
The state adds a 20% government contribution (devlet katkısı) to every lira you put into BES, up to an annual ceiling of TRY 79,272 (EGM 2026). To reach this ceiling, a participant must contribute TRY 396,360 per year. This means someone contributing TRY 1,000 per month is effectively saving TRY 1,200 — the state tops up every lira you contribute.
Someone contributing TRY 1,000 per month is actually saving TRY 1,200 — because the state adds a 20% top-up on every lira (EGM 2026). No other savings instrument in Turkey provides this day-one return.
Who can join BES?
- Anyone who is a Turkish citizen or a foreigner with a Turkish tax number
- Is 18 years of age or over
- Has legal capacity (ability to enter into contracts)
What happens if I leave BES before retirement?
If you leave BES before reaching retirement age:
- Your own contributions and any investment return are returned to you
- 0–3 years: the government contribution is fully forfeited; withholding tax (stopaj) is also applied
- 3–6 years: 15% of the government contribution vests (you retain 15%; the rest is returned to the state)
- 6–10 years: 35% of the government contribution vests
- At 10 years in the system: 60% vests
- On reaching retirement age (minimum 56, with at least 10 years' membership), or on disability or death: 100% vests
What is Group BES?
Group BES (Grup BES) is a private pension scheme that an employer establishes on behalf of its employees as a group. Employer enrolment, contribution tracking and reporting are managed centrally. It is one of the most powerful tools in employer branding and talent retention.
What are the employer benefits of Group BES?
Employer contributions are deductible up to 15% of gross salary as a corporate expense. The government contribution and employer contribution together make Group BES one of the most efficient employee benefits for companies.
For detailed information on BES plan design and Group BES implementation for your company, visit our private pension services page or contact us directly.