To apply for a survivor’s pension (death pension) via e-Devlet, the only document you need to obtain in person is the e-Devlet password from PTT. Due to the pandemic, applications for the death pension can now be completed through the e-Devlet system.
Information you should have on hand:
- The applicant’s Turkish Republic Identification Number (T.C. Kimlik No.),
- e-Devlet password (obtained from PTT),
- The deceased person’s Turkish Republic Identification Number.
After logging into e-Devlet with your password, you can submit an application through the Social Security Institution services on the “Ölüm Yardımı ve Dul / Yetim Aylığı Talebi” screen by entering the T.C. identification number of the deceased spouse, child, mother, or father.
Alternatively, applications can be made in person at provincial or central Social Security Directorate offices. For follow-up procedures after a death pension has been granted, you must apply to the Retirement Services General Directorate, Department of Retirement for Independent and Contracted Workers.
What Is a Death Pension?
The death pension is a benefit paid to eligible beneficiaries of an insured worker who has died as a result of a workplace accident or occupational disease. It is one of the supports provided under work accident and occupational disease insurance. Specific conditions must be met to qualify for the death pension.
What Are Widow(er) and Orphan Pensions?
Widow(er) and orphan pensions are defined separately. The widow(er) pension is a benefit paid by the Social Security Institution to the surviving spouse when an insured worker dies.
Pensions can be paid to both men and women. The orphan pension is a benefit provided to children when one or both parents have died.
What Are the Conditions to Receive a Death Pension?
To be eligible for a death pension, the following conditions generally apply:
- At least 1,800 days of contributions to disability, old-age and death insurance have been recorded, or
- For those insured under 4/1-(a), they have been insured for at least five years (excluding any credited periods) and have at least 900 days of contributions to disability, old-age and death insurance,
- The deceased was receiving or entitled to receive a disability, service-related disability, or old-age pension but had not completed administrative procedures,
- If a pension previously granted for disability, service-related disability or old age was cut due to the insured person starting work and the insured dies while in that state, beneficiaries may request a death pension in writing,
- For 4/1-(a) insured persons, various credited periods are not counted toward the five-year requirement and 900-day contribution condition; such credited periods made by either the deceased or beneficiaries are not considered when assessing eligibility,
- For insured persons who died before 1/10/2008, all credited periods are considered in the 900-day calculation. For self-employed insured persons (4/(b) under Law No. 5510), beneficiaries can only receive a death pension if all premiums and related debts, including general health insurance premiums, have been paid.
What Documents Are Required for a Death Pension Application?
The mandatory documents for a death pension application typically include:
- Written petition requesting the death pension,
- Family register extract with annotations (vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği),
- Certificate of inheritance (veraset ilanı),
- Two passport-size photographs,
- Photocopy of identity card,
- Declaration and undertaking form for beneficiaries,
- Income documents for any spouse or children who are working,
- Document from e-Devlet proving the deceased was not insured elsewhere,
- School certificate for children who are studying,
- Bank account number (Ziraat Bankası account number commonly requested),
- Medical board report for disabled children.
What Is the Death Pension Application Form?
The death pension application form and petition are required documents that surviving spouses and children must submit to the Social Security Institution when applying for benefits after a relative’s death, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
These forms and filled examples are available under the “Forms and Petitions” section on the official Social Security Institution website.
e-Devlet Death Pension Application Steps
To apply quickly via e-Devlet, follow the steps below in order.
Before submitting a death, widow(er) or orphan pension application, enter the deceased person’s 11-digit T.C. identification number correctly in the “Yakınınıza Ait T.C Kimlik Numarası” field and then click the “Başvur” (Apply) button.
What Are the Death Pension Rates?
The amount of the death pension varies depending on who the beneficiaries are (spouse, children, mother, or father). These rates change according to the number of children, whether the spouse is working, and whether the spouse has remarried.
The death pension distribution rates are generally as follows:
- The surviving spouse receives 50% of the deceased’s pension,
- A working widow(er) with no children receives 50% of the pension,
- A non-working widow(er) with no children receives 75% of the pension,
- If there is a widow(er) and one non-working child: 60% to the spouse and 30% to the child,
- If there is a widow(er) and two non-working children: 50% to the spouse and 25% to each child,
- Unmarried daughters may receive 25% each of the deceased father’s pension in certain situations,
- If the deceased had a single daughter, she may receive 50% of the pension,
- For parents to receive a pension, several conditions are evaluated. One key condition is being over age 65 and not receiving income or a pension from any other institution; in that case, up to 25% of the pension may be granted to the parents.
- For example, if the deceased’s retirement pension was 1,500 TL and the surviving spouse’s entitlement is 75%, the spouse would receive 1,125 TL. If the entitlement is 50%, the spouse would receive 750 TL. A child entitled to 25% would receive 375 TL.
Conditions for Granting a Widow(er) Pension to the Spouse
To receive a pension as the surviving spouse, the following conditions generally apply:
- The spouses must have had a legal marriage at the time of the insured person’s death,
- A spouse with a 50% entitlement may receive the pension provided they are not working under the law or in a foreign country; a surviving spouse with no children must not be employed to receive the pension under certain conditions,
- If the surviving spouse is not receiving income or a pension from their own insurance, they may be granted 75% of the deceased’s pension.
Conditions for Granting Pensions to Children
Eligibility for children to receive the death pension depends on:
- Child’s gender,
- Child’s age,
- Child’s educational status,
- Child’s marital status,
- Whether the child is disabled,
- Whether the child works under foreign legislation or is covered by other social security rules.
Conditions for Granting Death Pension to Sons
Sons may receive the death pension under these conditions:
- If attending higher education, they must be under 25 years old,
- If attending secondary education, they must be under 20 years old,
- If not enrolled in any educational institution, they must be under 18 years old,
- They must not be working in a foreign country,
- They must not receive income or a pension from their own insurance coverage.
Conditions for Granting Death Pension to Daughters
Daughters may qualify for the death pension if:
- They are not working in a foreign country,
- They do not receive income or a pension from their own insurance,
- They are not married, or if they were married they have later divorced.
There is no specific age or education requirement for daughters to receive a death pension.
Conditions for Granting Death Pension to Disabled Children
Disabled children may receive the death pension if:
- They have an approved medical board report showing a loss of working capacity of at least 60% as determined by the Institution’s Health Board,
- They are not employed in any insured job,
- Disabled children are eligible regardless of age, gender or marital status.
When Is a Widow(er) Pension Terminated?
A pension paid to a surviving spouse may be terminated in the following situations:
- Loss of Turkish citizenship or renunciation of citizenship,
- If the widow remarries, the widow’s pension is typically terminated. If the widow later becomes entitled to a pension from a second spouse’s death, she may choose which pension to receive,
- Under Law No. 5434, those receiving a widow(er) pension who begin working under the statuses defined in Law No. 5510 (4/1-a, 4/1-b, 4/1-c) may continue to receive their pension; however, entitlement rates may change depending on the working status.
When Is an Orphan Pension Terminated for Sons and Daughters?
An orphan pension for sons and daughters is terminated in these circumstances:
- Loss of Turkish citizenship or renunciation of citizenship,
- If the orphan marries while receiving an orphan pension, the pension is terminated,
- Those receiving orphan pensions under Law No. 5434 who begin working under Law No. 5510 (4/1-a, 4/1-b) typically do not have their pensions cut,
- Changes in educational status also affect payments: for boys, the pension stops if they leave education after 18; if they are secondary education students it ends at 20, and for higher education students it ends at 25.
When Is an Orphan Pension Terminated for Disabled Sons?
Termination conditions for orphan pensions paid to disabled sons include:
- Loss of Turkish citizenship or renunciation of citizenship,
- If a disabled son receiving a pension under Law No. 5434 begins working under 4/1-c of Law No. 5510, the pension may be stopped according to Article 99 of Law No. 5434. If they work under 4/1-a or 4/1-b and are found to receive a pension exceeding the net minimum wage or are no longer considered needy, payments may be terminated,
- If follow-up medical examinations by the Institution’s Health Board determine the loss of working capacity is below 60%, the pension may be cut,
- If a disabled son gets married, there is typically no automatic reduction in the orphan pension.
How Is the Death Pension Calculated?
Death pension calculations are determined under the Social Insurances and General Health Insurance Law. According to Law No. 5510, the annual amounts of pensions must not be less than the minimum retirement pension paid for the previous year as of January of the year the pension begins, without applying that year’s increases.
How Can You Check Death Pension Status?
There are three main ways to check the status of a death pension:
- By calling the Family, Labor and Social Services Contact Center ALO 170,
- Through the e-Devlet system,
- At Social Security Institution branches.
When querying via ALO 170, identity verification is required. Providing complete and accurate information makes the process faster.
Required verification details typically include the applicant’s T.C. identification number, the deceased person’s date of death, the application date and application number for the death pension, and the deceased person’s T.C. identification number.
Querying Widow(er) and Orphan Pensions by T.C. Identification Number
You can query widow(er) and orphan pensions on e-Devlet using your T.C. identification number. A password is required to log into e-Devlet; if you do not have one, you can obtain it from a PTT branch using your T.C. identification number.
To check the death pension on e-Devlet, log in with your T.C. identification number and password, then select the “Ölüm Maaşı Sorgulama” service under the Social Security Institution services to view the results.
Granting and Termination of Pension for the Surviving Spouse
The primary requirement for a surviving spouse to receive a death pension is that a legal marriage existed between the deceased and the spouse at the time of death. If there was no legal marriage at the time of death, the spouse generally has no right to receive a death pension.
If a legal marriage existed at the time of death, spouses and children may be entitled to percentages of the pension based on the number of children and whether they are working. The surviving spouse’s pension is typically terminated if the surviving spouse remarries with a new legal marriage.
Granting and Termination of Pensions for the Deceased Insured Person’s Children
When a working insured person dies, children may be eligible for a pension if they meet legal and regulatory conditions. Key factors considered include:
- Child’s gender,
- Child’s age,
- Child’s education status,
- Child’s marital status,
- Child’s disability status,
- Whether the child is working under the legislation of a foreign country.