Recently, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of people retiring using fake disability reports. In response to the spread of this practice, the Social Security Institution (SGK) has launched intensive inspections and imposes severe sanctions on those found to have retired based on fraudulent reports.
Beware of Fake Disability Reports
The SGK continues strict inspections due to an increase in retirements based on fake disability reports. When the SGK determines that a person retired using a forged disability report, it suspends their pension and demands repayment of all pension payments made from the date the pension began, plus interest. Those who paid large sums to networks or groups to obtain fraudulent reports may ultimately be required to repay far more to the SGK and can also face criminal penalties, including imprisonment.
Increase in Fake Reports
Authorities have found a rise in the number of people who obtained retirement or disability care allowances through falsified disability reports. Many of those who retired using disability reports started working before 2008 under SSK (4A). SSK employees who began working before October 2008 submit disability reports showing 40% or higher impairment to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and obtain a tax reduction certificate. After receiving the certificate, they can claim retirement without waiting for the normal age requirements if they meet conditions ranging from 15 years and 3,600 premium days up to 20 years and 4,440 premium days, depending on the disability report.
For those under Bağkur, Emekli Sandığı, or SSK 4A who began working after 2008, the disability rates determined by authorized medical boards become final once approved by the SGK. However, for SSK workers who started before 2008, disability reports are finalized by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. Retirement procedures in these cases are often processed solely based on the tax reduction certificate. As a result, only after a tip-off to SGK can the report be re-evaluated, revealing previous forgeries. This mechanism has contributed to the sharp increase in fraudulent disability reports used for retirement in recent years. Inspections have already uncovered many cases of people who retired based on fake disability reports.
The Consequences Are Severe
Investigations show that those using fake reports employ various manipulative methods. Genuine patients’ test samples can be presented as if they belong to healthy individuals. Medical records may be forged to show that healthy people underwent surgery, or glucose syrup or sugar water may be given before tests to produce results that mimic severe diabetes. These tactics alter the medical evidence used to support disability claims.
After a tip-off or during an inspection, the individual is re-examined. If the disability rate is found to be below 40% or there is no disability at all, the consequences are severe. Before imposing a fraud penalty, the SGK first requests a new report. If the second report shows a reduced disability rate or no disability, the pension is canceled. The person is then required to repay all pension payments received from the date the pension began, with interest. In addition, criminal proceedings are pursued under the Turkish Penal Code. Forging official documents carries prison terms ranging from two to five years, and qualified fraud can lead to prison sentences of between four and ten years. Because of these heavy penalties, those who have retired using fake disability reports—or who are considering doing so—should think again.