Bağkur premium debt holders will be offered an important relief within the scope of restructuring: previously frozen premium periods can be reactivated. However, those who do not restructure unpaid premiums owed up to October 31, 2020 will have those insured periods removed.
Bağkur Members Should Pay Attention to the Restructuring
Legislative measures in past years addressed the cancellation of Bağkur premium debts. Broad regulations were implemented in 2008, 2015 and 2018. Under the 2008 regulation, premium debts unpaid for five years were erased; under the 2015 regulation, debts unpaid for 12 months were erased; and under the 2018 regulation, unpaid premiums as of May 31, 2018 were erased and insured periods were frozen. These erased periods were effectively treated as if no work had been performed and were not counted toward retirement.
Those whose insurance periods were frozen due to unpaid debt can reactivate those periods by paying their restructured premiums under the restructuring law. Reactivation (ihya) applications can be submitted between December 1, 2020 and February 1, 2021.
The Social Security Institution (SGK) will calculate the required premium amounts for applicants and notify them. If the notified amount is paid in full by March 1, 2021, the insured periods will be reactivated and counted toward retirement.
Applications Must Cover the Entire Period
Frozen insured periods must be fully covered by a reactivation application. Partial payment that covers only some of the suspended period is not permitted. Premiums to be paid under reactivation will be calculated based on the applicable minimum wage.
Widows, widowers and children of deceased Bağkur contributors who wish to obtain survivor pensions can also apply for reactivation. Beneficiaries who pay premiums for the entire frozen period and who meet the necessary contribution length requirements will be eligible for widow, widower or orphan pensions.
Under the law, self-employed and agricultural Bağkur members have two options for paying premium debts accrued before October 31, 2020. If they apply for restructuring within two months, these debts can be paid in equal installments over a period of one to three years under the law. If they do not apply within two months or do not pay the restructured installments, the periods corresponding to unpaid premiums will remain frozen.
If Not Restructured, Periods Will Be Frozen
Those registered with Bağkur who have never paid premiums will lose all insured periods if they do not benefit from the restructuring, causing a significant loss of retirement rights. For those whose insured periods were frozen but whose Bağkur coverage continues, insurance can resume on November 1, 2020. Premiums due after that date must be paid regularly.
At the request of the insured person or, in case of death, their spouse or children, the full insured period can be reactivated by paying the required premiums. Premiums will be paid based on the earnings amount the person selects, within the range from the current minimum wage up to 7.5 times the minimum wage at the time of payment.
Self-employed and agricultural Bağkur members who restructure their premium debts may also regain access to general health insurance, provided they have no outstanding premium debts exceeding 60 days. A temporary arrangement allowed those with premium debt to access health services until year-end so they would not be left without care.
With restructuring, access to health services will continue for subsequent periods as well, allowing Bağkur members who complete restructuring to keep receiving free health care at state hospitals.