Retirement has a long history that stretches back to the Ottoman era and continues to the present day. It is the right of a person, once they reach a certain age and meet legal conditions, to receive a monthly pension without working. Over time people age and their capacity to work declines, which creates the need for retirement.
In the Republic of Turkey, retirement rules vary according to employment groups.
For those covered by the Civil Servants’ Pension Fund (Emekli Sandığı), the retirement age is 45 for women and 50 for men.
For employees under the Social Insurance Institution (SSK), the retirement age is 58 for women and 60 for men. For self-employed workers covered by Bağ-Kur, the retirement age is generally 50 for women and 55 for men. Those working in heavy or hazardous occupations may qualify for earlier retirement.
For SSK-insured workers, the retirement age is determined according to the date insurance began. The required contributions and conditions depend on that start date. Retirement requirements also differ between women and men.
To retire under SSK you must meet the required age, have paid the necessary premiums, and complete the required insured service period.
When Can I Retire?
Anyone who meets the necessary conditions has the right to retire. Retirement requires meeting the age threshold and completing the required number of contribution days and paid premiums.
How Much Are Pensions?
For those retiring from Bağ-Kur, the average pension mentioned here is 1,250 TL.
For SSK retirees, the pension amount varies: those who retired before 2000 may receive around 1,390 TL, while those who retired after 2000 may receive approximately 857 TL.
How to Retire from Bağ-Kur?
To retire under Bağ-Kur, an individual must be self-employed, such as a tradesperson or artisan, and registered as an employer under their own name. Bağ-Kur does not use a fixed insured period in the same way as other schemes; what matters is how many premium days have been paid.
How Do People Working Abroad Retire?
Under a recent law, citizens working abroad and holders of the “blue card” (mavi kart) can retire by purchasing insurance credits through a debt-based scheme known as yurt dışı borçlanması. A blue card allows a former Turkish citizen who has taken on another country’s citizenship to retain certain ties with Turkey by voluntarily renouncing Turkish citizenship while keeping rights under the blue card status.
Who Can Benefit from Overseas Debt-Based Insurance (Yurt Dışı Borçlanması)?
- Turkish citizens,
- People who have lived abroad for a certain period,
- Individuals who can document the location and institution where they worked and provided services,
- Those who submit a written application to request the debt-based insurance.
People who meet these conditions and are at least 18 years old are eligible to apply for this coverage.