The time it takes for a pension to be granted after citizens apply due to loss of working capacity varies depending on the examinations carried out by the institution and the institution’s workload. The process for approving a disability retirement pension typically takes between one and three months. To apply for disability retirement, applicants must first obtain a medical report from a fully equipped public hospital. With that document, they must submit an application to the Social Security Institution.
What Are the Conditions for Disability Retirement?
The conditions required to qualify for disability retirement are determined by the Social Security Institution. Based on these rules, citizens who suffer a loss of working capacity due to work accidents or disabling health conditions may be granted a disability retirement pension. The loss of working capacity must be documented with a detailed medical report obtained from a public hospital.
Other requirements for disability retirement include:
- Applicants must have at least 10 years of paid insurance premiums to qualify for disability retirement.
- A total of 1800 days of premium payments for old-age, disability, and survivor insurance must be completed.
- Those working under the 4B (Bağ-Kur) scheme must have no outstanding Bağ-Kur debt. If there is an outstanding debt, it must be paid before benefiting from the disability retirement pension.
- The applicant should submit their disability retirement request within 10 days from the date of termination of employment.
What Should the Rate of Working Capacity Loss Be for Disability Retirement?
To be eligible for a disability pension, the required rates of loss of working capacity are as follows:
- If a person has an impairment of 80% or more, they are considered first-degree disabled and are entitled to a disability pension.
- If a person has an impairment between 60% and 79%, they are considered second-degree disabled and are entitled to a disability pension.
- If a person has an impairment between 40% and 59%, they are considered third-degree disabled and are entitled to a disability pension.
- If a person has an impairment of 39% or less, they are not eligible for a disability pension.
How Do You Apply for Disability Retirement?
If all conditions are met for disability retirement, the steps to follow are:
- Submit the required documents to the provincial Social Security Directorate (SGK İl Müdürlüğü) or the Social Security Center Directorate (Sosyal Güvenlik Merkezi Müdürlüğü).
- To obtain a report that supports disability retirement eligibility, applicants must request a report from training and research hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health. Reports from private hospitals are not accepted.
- The insured person must initiate the application process at the Social Security Institution.
What Documents Are Required for Disability Retirement?
Applicants for disability retirement are required to submit certain documents as requested by the relevant institution. Some documents may vary depending on the insurance scheme the applicant belongs to (Civil Servants’ Pension Fund, SSK, Bağ-Kur), but most are common.
The common documents are:
- Application and declaration forms for pension entitlement,
- Referral approval document for public servants and 4C (Civil Servants’ Pension Fund) members,
- A certificate from a fully equipped public hospital proving the percentage of working capacity loss.
Who Can Benefit from Disability Retirement?
Diseases that qualify for disability retirement are regulated by law. To be granted disability retirement, individuals must suffer from one of the qualifying conditions and provide a report from a fully equipped public hospital documenting their condition.
The law lists qualifying conditions such as:
- Parkinson’s syndrome,
- Cerebral palsy,
- Liver cancer,
- Bile duct and pancreatic cancers,
- Bladder and kidney cancers,
- Prostate and testicular cancers,
- Stomach cancer,
- Lung cancer,
- Small and large intestine cancers,
- Thyroid cancer,
- Breast cancer,
- Leukemia,
- Head and neck soft tissue cancers,
- Skin cancer,
- Salivary gland, nervous system and penile cancers,
- Retinal diseases,
- Organ loss,
- Epilepsy, convulsive epilepsy,
- Central nervous system disorders,
- Advanced diabetes,
- Genetic disorders,
- Severe stress and obsessive disorders,
- Tuberculosis,
- AIDS,
- Anemia disorders.
How Much Is the Disability Retirement Pension?
The pension amount for those entitled to disability retirement was determined as 971 TL in 2020 according to inflation adjustments. To qualify for disability retirement, applicants must have at least 10 years of work history and fully paid premiums. After submitting documents to the Social Security Institution provincial center or Social Security Center Directorate and receiving a positive assessment, eligible applicants should begin receiving the 971 TL pension within three to four months.
In Which Situations Is the Disability Pension Reduced or Cut?
The primary reason a disability pension is suspended or stopped is if the recipient is found to be working unlawfully. Disability pension recipients are regularly monitored by the Social Security Institution. If inspections reveal that a recipient continues to work while receiving the disability pension, payments are fully suspended. Additionally, if the recipient’s disability condition ceases and they return to working capacity, they are obligated to inform the Social Security Institution. Failure to notify the institution can lead to demands for repayment of the pension with interest.
Who Can Check the Disability Pension Status?
Disability pension inquiries can only be made by individuals whose disability retirement has been approved and who are entitled to receive payments; this can be done via the e-Government (e-Devlet) system. It is not possible to track the status of an ongoing disability retirement application online through e-Government.
How to Check Disability Pension via e-Government?
Disability pension inquiries can be made through the e-Government portal. To use e-Government services, applicants need an e-Government password. The steps to check pension information are:
- Log in to the e-Government system with your Turkish ID number and password.
- Open the “e-Services” menu and go to the “Social Security Institution” page.
- Review the services provided by the Social Security Institution.
- If you were insured under SSK, open the “4A Pension Monthly Information” section.
- If you were insured under Bağ-Kur, open the “4B Pension Monthly Information” section.
- If you were insured under the Civil Servants’ Pension Fund, open the “4C Pension Monthly Information” section.
How Do I Obtain an e-Government Password?
To obtain an e-Government password, visit a PTT branch. You can create an e-Government password at PTT counters for a small fee. If you have previously created a password but forgotten it, there are two ways to reset it. The first method is online via the e-Government system, which requires your mobile phone number to be registered in the system.
If your mobile number is registered, click “I Forgot My Password” on the e-Government login page and follow the instructions to reset it. If your mobile number is not registered, visit a PTT branch; you can renew your e-Government password there for a fee.
How Can I Track the Disability Retirement Process?
You cannot follow the progress of your disability retirement application online. To get information about your application status, you must apply directly to the Social Security Institution as during the initial submission. By visiting Social Security Institution centers, you can receive information about your disability retirement application and its processing.