Many citizens in our country are curious about transfers between different social security branches. These transfers can sometimes make life easier. The transition from Bağ-Kur to SSK is among the important topics. Thanks to moving from Bağ-Kur to SSK, many people can secure more advantageous retirement conditions.
The scope of insurance coverage is determined by law, and those who meet the legal requirements can be insured. The conditions for being considered insured are set by legislation. One key condition is the existence of an employment relationship between the worker and the employer. Whether payment of wages is required is not specified as a separate condition; being insured is not merely a matter of personal choice but is acquired automatically when a person is employed, bringing both rights and responsibilities.
Bağ-Kur is the insurance scheme for people who do not have the opportunity to work as employees in the private or public sector. Bağ-Kur members secure retirement rights by paying their contributions under this system. They also benefit from discounted health services.
According to recent government statements, transitioning from Bağ-Kur to SSK is now possible. Previously, a Bağ-Kur member who wanted to move into the SSK system had to terminate any company partnerships or tax registrations they held elsewhere before making the switch.
Recent regulatory changes have removed those requirements. As a result, a Bağ-Kur member who is a partner in a company or has tax liability can now transfer from Bağ-Kur to SSK. Another important issue is eligibility for retirement benefits after the switch. For a person who moves from Bağ-Kur to SSK to be eligible for retirement benefits under SSK, they must have actually worked under SSK for at least 3.5 years within the last seven years.
Actual work is an important factor. Services covered only by debt-based acquisition (borçlanma) are not counted as actual service for the purpose of meeting the retirement requirement after the transfer. Therefore, the individual must have personally worked the required 3.5 years under SSK.
Those who wish to transfer from Bağ-Kur to SSK should apply to their local Social Security Center or the Provincial Directorate of Social Security. If this notification is not made, the Bağ-Kur registration cannot be suspended. As a result, the person may be required to pay contributions to both SSK and Bağ-Kur simultaneously, which can be financially disadvantageous.
People who have transferred from Bağ-Kur to SSK may continue paying contributions to both insurance schemes. As a result, their pension amounts can increase. To ensure this is taken into account, they must inform the institutions where they submitted their transfer application and submit the necessary notifications.
To request a transfer from Bağ-Kur to SSK, individuals must submit a written petition. A sample petition is provided below for reference.
TO THE RELEVANT BAĞ-KUR DIRECTORATE
ISTANBUL
TR ID:
Subject: Transfer to SSK and suspension of my Bağ-Kur registration.
I have been paying monthly Bağ-Kur contributions to your institution, however on …/…./….. I started working at the workplace with insurance registration number ……………………………………..-…… . To avoid duplicate registration in my name, I request the suspension of my Bağ-Kur registration, that no contribution accrual document be issued in my name, and that the necessary actions be taken.
Sincerely,
Full Name
Signature
Because new steps have been taken regarding transitions from Bağ-Kur to SSK, these transfers have become more popular among those who want to retire. The reasons why moving from Bağ-Kur to SSK is considered more attractive include:
- Pensions under SSK tend to provide higher monthly payments. This difference can range between approximately 10% and 15%.
- Under SSK, people can sometimes retire earlier. Early retirement options can make meeting retirement conditions easier; in some cases, a person may gain the right to retire up to 10 years earlier.
- When retiring under SSK, the total required contribution days can be lower. While Bağ-Kur members may need around 9,000 contribution days in some cases, the required days under SSK can be reduced to as low as about 5,000.