I am a high school graduate and a mother of two. I spent an important part of my working life as a mid-level manager in a private company. Between 1987 and 1996, I worked there as a paid employee. However, during those years, my employer did not register my employment with the social security system or pay social security contributions on my behalf. Because these years were missing from my social security record, I was initially unable to qualify for retirement.
In 2015, I decided to take legal action against my former employer so that these years of work could be officially recognised. The legal process lasted for several years, and in 2024 I won the case. Following the court decision, my previous years of service were added to my social security record, which enabled me to retire and receive a state pension. I currently receive a monthly pension of TRY 33,800.
This was a long struggle for me, but it was also important because my case has become an example for other workers who have experienced similar problems with unregistered employment and unpaid social security contributions. For me, retirement was not only about reaching the end of my working life; it was also about finally receiving recognition for the years I had worked.