Voluntary insurance is a type of coverage that allows individuals to qualify for retirement by having their contributions paid externally, without working in an employed position or running their own business. It is mainly pursued to secure a pension. Within this scope, many wonder whether voluntary insurance can be arranged by not paying the general health insurance contribution to reduce premium costs.
Health Rights under Voluntary Insurance
Before 2008, voluntary insurance could be established based on any social security status—SSK, Bağkur or Emekli Sandığı. However, legislative changes in 2008 brought fundamental adjustments to voluntary insurance. With the unification of SSK, Bağkur and Emekli Sandığı under the Social Security Institution (SGK), voluntary retirement was consolidated under a single category: 4B (Bağkur) status. As a result, those who become voluntary retirees receive pensions under Bağkur conditions when they retire.
Another significant change in the legislation ensured that those covered by voluntary insurance would enjoy health rights similar to other insured workers. Under current regulations, voluntary insured persons pay monthly contributions equal to 32% of their declared monthly earnings that form the basis of premiums. Of this 32%, 20% is allocated to retirement pension premiums and 12% is deducted for general health insurance.
Can You Opt Out of General Health Insurance?
Under the current legislation, opting out of general health insurance is not possible for voluntary retirees. The provisions of Law No. 5510 clearly state that 32% of the declared monthly earnings is taken as the total contribution base, with 20% for pension insurance and 12% for general health insurance. Voluntary insured persons and their dependents are regarded as covered by general health insurance and are therefore obliged to pay the corresponding premiums, which entitles them to use health services at public hospitals. Consequently, voluntary insured persons are required to pay general health insurance premiums in line with the law.
For example, people who previously received health benefits through a spouse or children, or who received widow or orphan pensions and later enter voluntary insurance, must still pay general health insurance premiums. The single exception applies to Turkish workers sent to countries without a social security agreement; if requested, those individuals under voluntary insurance are charged only the 20% pension premium and are not charged the general health insurance portion.
How Can a Voluntary Insurance Pension Increase?
Aside from the exceptional cases noted above, voluntary insured persons cannot increase their pension by refusing to pay general health insurance. However, voluntary insurance contributions may be evaluated under 4A (SSK) in certain circumstances, which can raise the pension amount. For example, a worker who has worked fewer than 30 days in a month can complete the month by paying voluntary insurance premiums; payments made after 2011 in this situation are counted under SSK.
Similarly, employees sent abroad by employers to countries without a social security agreement have their voluntary insurance payments evaluated under SSK when such contributions are made for work purposes. Finally, contributions paid to voluntary insurance under SSK before 2008 are still considered within the SSK framework. Those in this situation can retire under SSK rules, which generally results in a higher pension compared with Bağkur.