Work accident and occupational disease pension is a benefit paid by the Social Security Institution (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu) to insured workers who become permanently unable to work due to a work accident or occupational disease, and to their eligible survivors. The amount is calculated according to the workplace hazard class, the insured’s monthly earnings and the degree of loss of working capacity. The pension is adjusted annually in line with minimum wage changes.
WHAT IS A WORK ACCIDENT OR OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE?
A work accident is an event that occurs while the insured is at the workplace, while performing tasks for the employer, during travel provided by the employer to and from the workplace, or in other situations related to the employer’s business, and that immediately or later causes physical or mental disability.
An occupational disease is an illness that occurs because the insured has been exposed to occupational risks arising from their job, and that is listed under the relevant social security legislation.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A WORK ACCIDENT OR OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE?
In case of a work accident or occupational disease, the injured insured person or their eligible survivors should take the following steps:
- Seek medical care immediately at the nearest health facility and receive treatment.
During treatment the insured will be issued a medical incapacity report that indicates how long they will be unable to work due to the accident or occupational disease.
- Obtain a death certificate if the insured has died as a result of the work accident or occupational disease.
The death certificate documents the date and cause of death.
- Report the work accident or occupational disease.
The employer must notify the Social Security Institution electronically or on paper. The incident should also be reported immediately to the competent law enforcement authorities at the scene. The employer must submit the notification within three business days following the incident.
- Apply for the work accident or occupational disease pension.
The insured or their eligible survivors must apply to the Social Security Institution for the pension. Applications can be made by insured persons who have become permanently unable to work or by the survivors of a deceased insured. The application must be submitted within two years from the date of the accident or diagnosis.
HOW IS THE WORK ACCIDENT AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE PENSION CALCULATED?
The pension is determined based on the workplace hazard class, the insured’s monthly earnings and the degree of loss of working capacity. The loss of working capacity is the percentage that reflects how much the insured is no longer able to work due to the accident or illness and is established by a medical board report.
Calculation formula:
- Work accident/occupational disease pension = Monthly earnings x Loss of working capacity rate x Hazard class coefficient
The hazard class coefficient depends on the workplace’s risk level: low-risk workplaces use 1, risky workplaces use 1.5, and very risky workplaces use 2.
Example: If the insured’s monthly earnings are 30,000 TL, the loss of working capacity is 50% and the workplace is classified as risky, the pension would be:
30,000 x 0.5 x 1.5 = 22,500 TL
WHEN IS THE PENSION PAID?
Payments begin after the Social Security Institution approves the application. The pension is deposited into the beneficiary’s bank account on the 17th day of each month and continues for the lifetime of the insured or eligible survivors.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE PENSION?
The pension is available to insured persons who become permanently unable to work due to a work accident or occupational disease and, in case of death, to their eligible survivors. Survivors may include the spouse, children, mother and father. To qualify, survivors must meet certain conditions:
- The spouse must not remarry after the insured’s death; if remarried, they must be divorced or widowed to be eligible.
- Children must be under 18 at the time of the insured’s death; if over 18, they must be students, disabled, or unmarried to qualify.
- The parents must not have another income following the insured’s death in order to be eligible.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE PENSION?
To apply, the insured or eligible survivors must prepare and submit the following documents to the Social Security Institution:
- Application form for work accident and occupational disease pension
This form is available from Social Security Centers or the institution’s website and includes personal details, information about the accident or disease, bank account information and the requested benefit type.
- Medical board report
A report that documents the degree of loss of working capacity, issued by authorized full-service public hospitals.
- Work accident or occupational disease notification
The employer’s notification to the Social Security Institution, which must be submitted within three business days of the incident.
- Identification document
Valid ID such as national identity card, driver’s license, passport or an official professional ID to be presented at application.
HOW MUCH IS THE 2024 WORK ACCIDENT AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE PENSION?
For 2024 the calculation can include an additional minimum wage coefficient as follows:
Pension = Monthly earnings x Loss of working capacity rate x Hazard class coefficient x Minimum wage coefficient
The minimum wage coefficient reflects the impact of the minimum wage on the pension and is set at 0.5 for 2024.
Example: If monthly earnings are 40,000 TL, loss of working capacity is 60% and the workplace is very risky, then for 2024:
40,000 x 0.6 x 2 x 0.5 = 24,000 TL
HOW MUCH DOES A WORKER WHO SUFFERED A WORK ACCIDENT RECEIVE?
An injured worker who becomes permanently unable to work may receive the work accident and occupational disease pension. The exact amount depends on:
- The workplace hazard class,
- The worker’s monthly earnings,
- The worker’s loss of working capacity rate.
Use the formula above to calculate the pension. For example, if monthly earnings are 35,000 TL, loss of working capacity is 40% and the workplace is risky in 2024:
35,000 x 0.4 x 1.5 x 0.5 = 10,500 TL
WHAT RIGHTS DOES THE INSURED HAVE IN CASES OF WORK ACCIDENT OR OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE?
Rights provided to the insured in these cases include:
- Daily temporary incapacity allowance during the period of temporary inability to work.
This allowance is generally half of the insured’s daily earnings; for outpatient treatments it is two-thirds of the daily earnings.
- Granting a permanent incapacity income when applicable.
This is calculated by multiplying the insured’s monthly earnings by the loss of working capacity rate; hazard class and minimum wage coefficients may also apply.
- Providing survivors’ income for dependents of an insured who dies as a result of the accident or disease.
Survivors’ income is typically a percentage of the insured’s monthly earnings and is available to the spouse, children and parents if they meet eligibility conditions.
- Coverage of medical expenses.
All treatment costs related to the work accident or occupational disease—such as medication, surgery, prosthetics, orthotics, physical therapy and rehabilitation—are covered by the Social Security Institution.
- Job placement support.
If the insured can no longer perform their previous job, the Social Security Institution provides vocational training, adaptation and placement services as part of vocational rehabilitation.
- Severance and unemployment benefits if employment ends.
If the insured leaves their job due to a work accident or occupational disease, they are entitled to severance pay calculated by length of service. They may also qualify for unemployment benefits based on their insured earnings during the last 120 days prior to job loss.