Agriculture is one of the earliest occupations in human history. With the transition to settled life, farming developed and became one of the first topics taught in schoolbooks.
In our country, much of the rural population works in agriculture. However, migration from villages to cities has reduced the number of people engaged in farming, even though the total remains significant. Fortunately, farmers who grow the tomatoes on your table continue to work despite many hardships, and like all workers, they also dream of retirement.
Social security for those working in agriculture is provided through the Agricultural Bağ-Kur system. In this article, we will answer and explain whether a farmer’s Bağ-Kur registration is erased while serving in the military.
Who Is an Agricultural or Farmer Bağ-Kur Insured?
Persons engaged in agricultural activities who are registered with the Chamber of Agriculture, or—where no Chamber exists—registered with the Provincial/District Directorates of Agriculture, fall under the scope of subparagraph (b) of Article 4 of Law No. 5510 and are considered insured.
For those registered due to their agricultural work, if the documents proving registration are reported by the institution of registration or by the insured individual within one year from the registration date, Agricultural Bağ-Kur insurance becomes effective from the date of that registration. The question of whether a farmer’s Bağ-Kur is removed during military service is addressed within this framework.
Who Must Serve in the Military?
Under Military Service Law No. 111, every male Turkish citizen who reaches the prescribed age is obliged to perform military service for a limited period as a civic duty.
Military Service and Bağ-Kur Insurance
The treatment of Bağ-Kur insured persons differs between business partners or tradespeople and those engaged in agricultural activities during military service.
For Bağ-Kur insured persons who are company partners or tradespeople, their businesses continue to operate while they are in the military. Therefore, company partners and taxpayers maintain their Bağ-Kur insured status during their military service. After the Social Insurances and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 came fully into force on October 1, 2008, the insured status of 4/b insureds (now referred to as Bağ-Kur insured) during military service is preserved if the activities that justify their insurance (such as company partnership or income tax liability) continue. It is not required that the insured personally remain at the head of the enterprise for the activity to be considered ongoing.
Is a Farmer’s Bağ-Kur Deleted While in the Military?
The situation is different for Agricultural Bağ-Kur insured persons. Under Law No. 2926 governing Agricultural Bağ-Kur, individuals covered by this law cannot maintain their Bağ-Kur insured status during the period they are serving in the military—even if their fields are being cultivated or their farmer registration remains on record. Consequently, Agricultural Bağ-Kur insurance is terminated for the duration of military service. If farmer Bağ-Kur insured persons are not personally managing their work while in the military, their insurance cannot be continued. For this reason, the law does not allow Agricultural Bağ-Kur insureds to maintain their insured status during military service.