Social security is a right for everyone. Women, as indispensable participants in the workforce, balance their professional lives with motherhood. Despite the many challenges of working life, many women strive to raise responsible members of society while building their careers.
Although work often requires long hours away from children, an unemployed mother may not acquire retirement rights. However, being both a mother and a working contributor can provide advantages when qualifying for retirement. Many women ask, “How does having children affect retirement?” Laws and regulations in our country define retirement conditions separately for women and men.
Women who were insured in earlier years but paused work due to childbirth may be able to advance their retirement date by purchasing coverage for those childcare periods if they have reached the required age but lack sufficient premium days. Mothers who worked and also cared for children can use birth-period premium purchases to accelerate retirement once they approach eligibility. In some cases, calculating retirement age for women includes purchased days for childcare periods.
It is not possible to give a single retirement age that applies to all women. The insurance start date, total service period and age are the main factors in determining retirement eligibility. Today, with birth-period premium purchases included, some women may retire at 50 depending on their start date and service, while others may need to wait until 61.
Does the Number of Children Lower Retirement Age?
The answer can be yes, but certain conditions must be met. In our country, birth-period premium purchase was originally granted for up to two children, and in 2014 a regulation was introduced to encourage women’s active participation in the workforce. This change opened the path to earlier retirement for some women.
A law announced as a presidential favor expanded the right to purchase premium days for up to three children, even if an internship period existed before childbirth. Women whose insurance began before childbirth but who stopped working afterward to care for children were granted the right to purchase 720 days per child, up to three children.
In other words, after insurance has started, a mother can purchase up to 2,160 days for three children. However, to use this advantage she must have reached the retirement age and only lack the required premium days. This regulation provides conditions for early retirement for mothers. Therefore, whether the number of children reduces retirement age depends on the insurance start date, whether there was a pre-birth insurance entry, and the number of children. Not every mother can purchase premium days for every child automatically.
How Much Does One Child Cost for Retirement?
The fee a mother pays to purchase premium days for childcare is determined annually by the Social Security Institution (SGK). The insurance start date is again important when establishing eligibility for purchasing days and for retirement rights.
Mothers who left work to care for a child and later returned to the workforce may purchase up to 720 days for one child. This is the maximum for a single child, although it is possible to buy fewer days. SGK officials calculate the payable amount by multiplying the number of purchased days by the daily insurance premium rate set for that year. These rates are published annually in the Official Gazette.
For example, in 2022 the combined monthly SGK share for employer and employee above the minimum wage totaled 1,476.8 TL. The SGK calculates the exact amount and notifies applicants officially after approving the relevant retirement application and day purchase request.
At What Age Can a Mother with Three Children Retire?
Women who have three children and paused work to care for them may have those non-working periods counted toward retirement through birth-period premium purchases. If they had an insurance start date and later interrupted work after childbirth, they can purchase days up to three children and this affects the calculation of retirement age for women.
A three-child mother who has reached retirement age but lacks premium days can purchase 720 days per child (two years per child). Previously limited to two children, the 2014 law change extended this right to three children, allowing a total of 2,160 purchased days.
Thus, if a woman has reached retirement age but is short by up to 2,160 premium days, purchasing those days can make retirement possible. By law, children must be alive for the full 720 days to be purchasable; for an infant who passed away, purchase is limited to the days until the date of death. This explains when and how a mother of three can become eligible for retirement.
How Can a Mother with Three Children Retire?
Mothers with three children may qualify for early retirement if they have an insurance start date, reached the retirement age, and can complete their missing premium days by purchasing up to six years’ worth of days for childcare. Women whose insurance began earlier and who paused work to care for children can fill gaps with a total of 2,160 days and secure retirement rights.
To benefit from early retirement conditions, mothers must have reached the retirement age. In summary: the measures described above let eligible mothers cover missing premium days and qualify for retirement by purchasing childcare days.
When Can Women Retire at the Earliest?
Retirement ages vary according to the date of employment entry, especially before and after the 1999 and 2008 cutoffs. If the insurance start date falls between 8 September 1999 and 30 April 2008, the requirements are 25 years of insurance, 4,500 premium days and an age of 58.
There is also a classification for those who completed 15 years of service and 3,600 premium days within certain dates, which affects retirement age.
The retirement schedule for women who meet 15 years and 3,600 days is as follows:
- Those who completed it before 23 May 2002 can retire at 50,
- Those who completed it between 24 May 2002 and 23 May 2005 can retire at 52,
- Those who completed it between 24 May 2005 and 23 May 2008 can retire at 54,
- Those who completed it between 24 May 2008 and 23 May 2011 can retire at 56,
- Those who completed it after 24 May 2011 can retire at 58.
If a woman’s employment began after 2008, the earliest retirement age is 61, and she must complete 5,400 premium days by the end of 2035. This answers when women can retire at the earliest under current rules.
I Have 3,600 Days — When Can I Retire?
A woman who has paid 3,600 premium days may be eligible for retirement, but the employment start date is crucial. Women with earlier insurance entries who meet the 3,600-day condition can retire if they also satisfy the applicable age requirement.
As shown in the retirement tables above, completing 3,600 days by certain dates corresponds to specific retirement ages. Those who meet both the day and age conditions should submit a petition to SGK to begin the retirement process.
What Is a 4A Birth-Period Premium Purchase Application?
4A refers to insured employment under private employers. Women who had an insurance record before childbirth and later stopped working to care for their children can purchase missing premium days if they have reached retirement age but lack sufficient premium days.
If the applicant meets early retirement conditions, purchasing days can open the path to retirement. Women who have reached retirement age but are short on premium days can apply to SGK directorates for 4A birth-period premium purchase. When an application is examined and approved, SGK notifies the applicant of the amount to be paid. After payment, the purchased days are added to the total premium days, allowing eligible women to retire without remaining in the workforce solely to complete days.
When Did Those Insured Before 1999 Retire?
Women with insurance start dates before 1999 may have lower retirement ages and can retire with fewer premium days. Some may already have secured retirement rights, but others who lack age eligibility despite having enough premium days must still wait until their retirement age is reached.
The retirement age condition must be considered carefully. Regardless of long service, individuals must meet the age requirement determined by their start date and job. Those insured before 8 September 1999 who complete 15 years and 3,600 days can retire between ages 50 and 60 depending on the exact timing.
Does Birth-Period Premium Purchase Lower Retirement Age for Civil Servants?
Birth-period premium purchase is available if there was an insurance start date before childbirth, including internship periods. This option can enable earlier retirement. If an employee worked before childbirth, they may purchase missing premium days under whichever social security scheme covers them, once they reach retirement age.
Whether someone is a self-employed worker, or employed under the former civil servant pension scheme, or a contracted public employee does not prevent purchasing days. One can buy up to 720 days per child (two years), with the same two-year work gap requirement between child births in order to claim each block of days.
How Can a Mother Retire?
There are several retirement paths for mothers who combined childrearing with periods of employment. Age, an important retirement criterion, has been adjusted in ways that can favor women. Calculations of women’s retirement age take these provisions into account.
A woman with a current insurance start date can retire at the earliest at 61, while women who began working earlier and paused for childbirth may qualify for earlier retirement through the regulations in force. The laws set the relevant age ranges. Mothers who meet the conditions can purchase missing premium days for up to three children (two years per child) if their insurance start date and timing meet the rules. Early retirement depends on both the purchase of days and reaching the retirement age.
Who Can Benefit from Birth-Period Premium Purchase?
Birth-period premium purchase is an advantage for working women. The 2014 law allows up to six years of premium days to be counted as if the mother had been working, for up to three children. To benefit, certain conditions must be met: having an insurance record before birth is the primary requirement. Women who had insurance before childbirth and later returned to the workforce qualify for the purchase right.
To use the three-child right fully, a mother must return to work within two years after each birth and the children must be alive. Women whose retirement age has come but who lack premium days and have children may apply and potentially retire early by purchasing days. This section clarifies who can benefit from birth-period premium purchase.
Can a Woman Who Became Insured After Birth Purchase Days?
Birth-period premium purchase covers the time a mother stayed out of the workforce to care for a child, provided there was an insurance start before the birth and she resumed work within two years after the birth. If a woman cared for her child for two years after birth and then stayed out of work during that period, she can apply to purchase those days. Women who returned to work immediately after giving birth already have those periods covered by paid premiums.
How to Apply for 4A Birth-Period Premium Purchase?
4A covers contractual employees in private companies and is the category that includes the majority of workers. Women in this category who meet the conditions may secure early retirement by purchasing childcare days. Applicants must confirm they meet the eligibility criteria: having an insurance entry before birth (even an internship), returning to work within two years after each birth, and having reached retirement age.
If retirement age has arrived and conditions are met, purchases for up to three children (2,160 days) are possible. Applications are submitted to SGK directorates with a written petition. When conditions are confirmed, SGK determines the number of days and the payment amount, after which the purchased days are added to the total premiums and the pension is granted.
Can Voluntary Insured People Purchase Birth-Period Days?
Some women maintain voluntary insurance (4B/BAĞ-KUR) until they reach retirement age. Because voluntary insurance depends on the individual’s choice, missing premium days are common in this group; birth-period premium purchase is a frequently used option. Voluntary insured women can purchase up to three children’ worth of days, provided they had an insurance start before birth and resumed paying premiums within two years after the birth.
If a voluntary insured woman applies to purchase days, the purchase rate is calculated according to her status, and pension is paid accordingly. However, working under a 4A contract before purchasing days can increase the premium base and lead to a higher pension because calculation is based on 4A contributions. Many therefore prefer retirement under 4A when possible. This completes the explanation of whether voluntary insured people can purchase birth-period days.