The practice known as priority insurance for those under 18 at retirement offers the possibility of earlier retirement for people who began working before age 18. Being insured before 18 does not give a separate duration advantage by itself, but it can be important for meeting age and contribution day requirements. In our country, three different social security institutions operate under the umbrella of a single organization.
The social security institutions gathered under the SGK umbrella have distinct retirement conditions. Although the specific conditions differ between the three institutions, the core requirements for retirement are the same. To be eligible for retirement, a person must meet three criteria: age, number of contribution days, and insured period. The SSK law regarding those under 18, covered by the Labor Law, protects all relevant rights and, when conditions are met, allows workers to benefit from its provisions.
The Importance of Dates for Insurance Before Age 18
According to the relevant legislation, even if someone was insured before turning 18, the insurance start date is recorded as the day the person turns 18. Therefore, being insured under 18 does not increase the insured period criterion. However, being insured before 18 can provide advantages in terms of both age and contribution days. These two benefits can enable earlier retirement.
Two dates are especially important for insurances made before age 18. These are:
- For insurance entries made before April 1981, the insurance start is counted from the original entry date regardless of age.
- For insurance entries made in April 1981 and afterward, entries made before the age of 18 are treated as having started from the person’s 18th birthday.
Requirements to Work Before Age 18
Legislation generally prohibits employing children under 15, with some exceptions. Conditions that must be met for a child under 15 to work in exceptional cases include:
- The child must be at least 14 years old.
- The child must have completed compulsory primary education.
- The work must not impede the child’s social, moral, physical, or mental development.
- If the 14-year-old is still in education, the work must not interfere with schooling.
In certain cases, children younger than 14 may be permitted to work. These cases include:
- The work must not adversely affect the child’s social, moral, mental, or physical development.
- If the child continues education, the work must not prevent school attendance.
- Children under 14 may only participate in advertising, culture, and arts activities.
- If a child under 14 is involved in advertising, culture, or arts activities, a written contract and special permission for the activity are required.
When placing and employing child and young workers, their safety, health, physical, mental, and psychological development, as well as their personal aptitudes and talents, must be taken into account. The work must not prevent the child from attending school, pursuing vocational training, or keeping up with studies.
Working conditions and prohibitions for child and young workers under 18 are set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and are announced in regulations published every six months.
What Are the Working Conditions for Those Under 18?
If the legal requirements for working before 18 are met, the employer and the job must also comply with relevant conditions regarding the type of work and working hours. Some of these conditions include:
- A person under 18 may work up to 7 hours per day and up to 35 hours per week.
- Children working in advertising, culture, and arts may work up to 5 hours per day and up to 30 hours per week.
- For a worker who has completed 15 years of age, these limits can be increased to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.
- If the working child attends preschool or school, working hours differ: outside school hours they may work up to 2 hours per day and up to 10 hours per week.
Can a Worker Under 18 Be Insured?
Information about insurance start for those under 18 and the related legislation are published by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. A person under 18 may work and be insured if they meet the legal conditions. The insurance procedures for someone under 18 are the same as for someone over 18. In other words, all standard insurance registrations and processes apply equally to under-18 workers. Being under 18 does not change the initial insurance date’s validity and the contribution days are counted.
How Is Insurance Registered for Workers Under 18?
There is no special criterion for the question how to register insurance for under-18 workers. Insurance registration for under-18 employees is carried out in the same way as for adult employees. It is advisable to consult provincial SGK directorates, since the registration must comply with the Labor Law and the Young Worker regulation.
Employer Obligations for Workers Under 18
Not every employer can hire workers under 18. Employers convicted of crimes against children or dishonorable offenses are strictly prohibited from employing minors. Employers who hire workers under 18 must fulfill the following obligations:
- Provide the child’s family or guardian with detailed information about the job.
- If the child is a student, obtain and keep the student certificate in the employee file.
- Conclude a written contract between the employer and the child’s parent or guardian.
- Ensure workplace conditions are suitable for under-18 workers. These conditions include:
- The workplace and work area must be safe for the under-18 worker.
- Work organization must be arranged according to the child’s education status and allowable working hours.
- Provide required training for the under-18 worker.
- Ensure that equipment used is safe, appropriate, and properly maintained.
How Are Contributions Paid for Workers Under 18?
Employers commonly ask how much is the premium for under-18 workers and how payments are made. Contribution registrations for under-18 workers are performed in the usual way, and contribution payments are handled like those for any other employee. Employers can make payments through banks or electronically via E-SGK.
Can Contribution Payments for Under-18 Workers Be Checked?
Contribution queries for under-18 workers can be performed online through the e-Government (E-Devlet) system. Using an e-Government password obtained from PTT branches, you can log in and check records associated with your insurance branch. To view contribution details, use the service for employment records (4A service statement) after completing identity verification. This allows you to see detailed information about contribution payments.