In the past, workers who spent many years in a job and wanted a secure retirement with reliable healthcare coverage could rely on two main institutions: SSK and Emekli Sandığı. These systems were structured so that public-sector employees belonged to Emekli Sandığı while private-sector workers paid into SSK. With the enactment of Law No. 5510 in October 2008, a third social security option—Bağ-Kur—was integrated into the legal framework, filling a gap for those who did not fall under the other two systems. In essence, Bağ-Kur provides health and pension benefits to people whose contributions are not covered by SSK or Emekli Sandığı. Anyone who does not benefit from SSK or Emekli Sandığı can register with Bağ-Kur; there is no restriction. This article explains the important topic of TC-based Bağ-Kur inquiry.
Today, Bağ-Kur offers old-age, survivor’s, and health insurance to its insured members, but its main purpose remains to provide retirement rights for people who cannot work in the public or private sectors. Contributions to Bağ-Kur are generally calculated over periods such as 15 or 25 years. Citizens who work and pay contributions for the required period can retire through Bağ-Kur and begin receiving benefits based on their prior payments. In addition, insured persons can perform various checks via Bağ-Kur inquiry.
Bağ-Kur Inquiry
If you work independently or run your own business and pay contributions to Bağ-Kur instead of Emekli Sandığı or SSK, you are classified as a 4B insured under Law No. 5510. By performing a Bağ-Kur inquiry, you can find your 4B service start date, resignation and application dates, and calculate your total service time for retirement. You can also conduct a Bağ-Kur inquiry using your Turkish ID number (TC). Previously, Bağ-Kur members accessed these services through the Social Security Institution’s application. However, recent changes moved many state services—including Bağ-Kur inquiries—into the e-Government (e-Devlet) system, which users access with their TC identification number and e-Government password, offering a higher level of security.
Checking Bağ-Kur with Your TC Identity Number
To check Bağ-Kur with your TC identity number, first log in to the e-Government system. Click the “Sisteme Giriş” button in the top-right corner to reach the login screen.
On the screen titled “Republic of Turkey Citizen Identity Verification System,” enter your TC identity number and e-Government password. If you do not have an e-Government password or you have forgotten it, you can obtain a new password by visiting the nearest PTT office with your identity card.
After logging in to e-Government, select the “E-Services” section and find the list for the “Social Security Institution.” In that service list, you will see subheadings such as Common (4A/4B/4C) Services, 4A Services, 4B Services, 4C Services, Personal Payment Services, and Other Services. For TC-based Bağ-Kur inquiries, choose the “4B Services” heading.
Under this heading, click the links that correspond to the information you need to perform any Bağ-Kur-related inquiries.
For example, selecting the “4B Step Information” link lets you track your Bağ-Kur payments and the step level determined by your age and contributions. Choosing “4B Service Information” displays the total service period during which you worked and made Bağ-Kur payments. If you have registered your 4B Bağ-Kur record, the “4B Registration Record” link allows you to verify that your registration was processed. If you have paid the required contributions and qualified for retirement, you can estimate your retirement pension by clicking “4B Pension Calculation.”
Because Bağ-Kur serves independent workers outside Emekli Sandığı and SSK, it is important to monitor your insurance transactions carefully. By performing the Bağ-Kur inquiry steps described above, you can review the contributions you have already made and your total service time to determine precisely when you will qualify for retirement.