Students who are eligible for an orphan’s pension must apply to the Social Security Institution (SGK) for the deceased insured parent. The amount of the orphan’s pension a student receives depends on the deceased insured person’s pension before death and the share allocated to each beneficiary.
Eligibility rules and conditions for suspension differ by the student’s gender. Male students who continue their education can receive the orphan’s pension up to a maximum age of 25.
Female students who remain in education can continue to receive the orphan’s pension regardless of age. There is also no age limit for individuals with disabilities receiving orphan’s pension.
What Are the Conditions for Students to Receive an Orphan’s Pension?
The conditions for students to receive an orphan’s pension are as follows:
- The deceased insured person must have been insured and paying premiums for at least five years, with regular premium payments. If the deceased had outstanding premium debt, those entitled to the orphan’s pension must settle the debt before applying for the pension.
- Students cannot be legally married to qualify for the orphan’s pension.
- Age and student status rules primarily apply to male beneficiaries. Male dependents who have not continued their education lose the pension at age 20. Those attending open high school receive payments until age 20. Male students enrolled in university can receive the orphan’s pension until age 25.
- The household’s income distribution is examined to determine eligibility for the orphan’s pension.
- If the applicant or household members own multiple properties, they may be ineligible for the orphan’s pension.
- To qualify, the household’s per capita monthly income must be less than one third of the current minimum wage. Applications are not approved without a means test.
- If the deceased insured person’s spouse remarries, the survivor’s pension is terminated. The orphan’s pension is also terminated when a daughter marries; if she divorces later, she may regain eligibility. If a divorce is found to be solely to receive the orphan’s pension, any amounts paid unjustly may be reclaimed with interest.
- If a deceased insured person’s son becomes registered as an insured worker after age 16, the orphan’s pension is stopped even if he continues education. Starting any insured employment disqualifies him from continuing to receive the orphan’s pension.
- If a deceased insured person’s daughter begins paid insured work, her salary is assessed. If her earnings are insufficient, she may continue to receive the orphan’s pension.
What Documents Are Required for Students’ Orphan’s Pension Application?
The documents required from students applying for an orphan’s pension include:
- Identification document of the applicant.
- A signed application petition for the orphan’s pension.
- Proof of student status for those claiming the pension as students.
- The death certificate of the insured person on whose record the pension claim is based.
- Three passport-size photos taken within the last six months.
- An up-to-date residence certificate.
- Documentation showing monthly household income.
- Documentation of any real estate owned by household members.
- Women requesting to resume the orphan’s pension after divorce must include court records with their application.
- Disabled children must submit an official disability health board report when applying.
How Should Students Apply for the Orphan’s Pension?
Students must apply in person at the Social Security Institution (SGK) with the required documents to request the orphan’s pension. The student applicant should personally visit the SGK office. If multiple siblings want to receive the pension, each must submit a separate application.
For applicants under 18 or those with disabilities, a parent or an older sibling may apply on their behalf. After submitting the application, there is an evaluation period. Applicants can track and inquire about their application status to learn the result.
Where to Apply Based on the Deceased’s Insurance Branch
The application office for an orphan’s pension depends on the insurance branch of the deceased. For those covered under 4A or 4B, applications are handled by the nearest Provincial or Center Directorate of Social Security. For insureds under 4C or retirees from 4C, applications are submitted to the Retirement Services General Directorate, Directorate of Retirement for Independent and Contracted Employees in Ankara.
How Can Students Check the Status of Their Orphan’s Pension Application?
Ways to check orphan’s pension status include:
- Through the e-Government (e-Devlet) system.
- By phone inquiry.
- In person at the application center.
How to Check the Application via E-Government
To check the orphan’s pension online via e-Government, follow these steps:
- Visit the official e-Government portal.
- Find the Social Security Institution services in the e-services list.
- Select the “Death Benefit and Survivor/Orphan Pension Request” option.
- Authenticate using an e-Government password, mobile signature, electronic signature, national ID card or internet banking login. The e-Government password can be obtained from PTT branches for a fee.
- After authentication, enter the deceased relative’s national ID number on the page to submit an application. If an application was previously submitted and is pending, the system will show the current status and the amount of pension assigned if any.
How to Check the Orphan’s Pension Status by Phone
To inquire by phone, call the SGK helpline. Inform the operator that you want to check an orphan’s pension application. You will be asked to provide specific information to verify identity and application details. After verification, the operator will inform students about the current status of their application.
How Are Pension Allocation Limits Determined?
The proportional distribution of the orphan’s pension depends on whether the deceased left a spouse and how many children are entitled to benefits.
Proportional allocations are generally as follows:
- If the deceased had a legally married spouse and children, the spouse is entitled to 50% of the pension.
- If the deceased had no children, the legally married spouse receives 75% of the pension.
- If the deceased left a spouse and one child, the spouse receives 50% as a widow/widower pension and the child receives 50% as an orphan’s pension. With two children, the spouse’s share remains the same, and each child receives 25%.
- A child who has lost both parents is entitled to 50% of the pension.
- The combined total of pensions paid to children and spouse should not exceed 90% of the deceased insured person’s pension amount.
What Happens When the Number of Siblings Receiving the Pension Decreases?
If one of two student siblings gives up the orphan’s pension, the remaining sibling’s monthly payment increases proportionally. When a sister marries and loses eligibility, the shares of the remaining siblings are adjusted upward. If a male student’s eligibility ends, his share is redistributed equally among the remaining eligible beneficiaries.
What Were Student Orphan’s Pension Amounts in 2022?
Orphan’s pension amounts were adjusted in January 2022. Pensions are reviewed and adjusted twice a year, in January and July.
Examples of the January 2022 adjustments are shown below:
| Old Amount | New Amount |
| 500 TL | 627 TL |
| 550 TL | 690 TL |
| 596 TL | 748 TL |
| 650 TL | 816 TL |
| 704 TL | 884 TL |
| 759 TL | 952 TL |
| 813 TL | 1,020 TL |
| 867 TL | 1,088 TL |
| 921 TL | 1,156 TL |
| 975 TL | 1,224 TL |
| 1,000 TL | 1,255 TL |
| 1,084 TL | 1,359 TL |
| 1,192 TL | 1,495 TL |
Where Do Students Receive Their Orphan’s Pension?
Pensions are paid through PTT by default. If a beneficiary has not informed SGK of a bank account, payments are made via PTT. If a bank account number has been provided, the pension is deposited to that account.
When Is a Male Child’s Orphan’s Pension Terminated?
The orphan’s pension for male dependents is terminated in the following cases:
- If the male beneficiary begins working in insured employment, the orphan’s pension ends.
- If he starts receiving a regular monthly salary, the orphan’s pension is stopped.
- If he does not continue secondary education, the pension ends at age 18.
- For males in middle or high school, the pension ends at age 20.
- For male university students, the pension continues until age 25.
A male beneficiary’s marriage is not a reason to stop payments as long as he meets eligibility conditions. If his pension was stopped because he left education, he can reapply if he resumes formal education—subject to the applicable rules and maximum durations.
Those receiving death pensions must complete their studies within maximum time limits. For university preparatory programs the limit is 2 years, for associate degree programs 4 years. For undergraduate studies the maximum duration varies by program length: a four-year program may be extended up to 7 years, a five-year program up to 8 years, and a six-year program up to 9 years. If a student cannot complete a four-year degree within 7 years, their pension will be terminated regardless of age.
When Is a Female Child’s Orphan’s Pension Terminated?
Female beneficiaries lose the orphan’s pension under the following conditions:
- If they start working and their income exceeds the poverty threshold, the pension is stopped.
- If they marry, the orphan’s pension is terminated.
- If a widowed female starts receiving a survivor’s pension for a spouse, she cannot simultaneously receive the orphan’s pension and must choose between them.
- If a divorced woman continues living with her former spouse, her orphan’s pension is terminated.
Women whose pensions are terminated may resume receiving the orphan’s pension if they become unemployed or divorce and meet the eligibility requirements. If a woman received marriage assistance (such as a trousseau allowance) before marriage, she cannot immediately resume the orphan’s pension after divorce; two years must pass since receiving that allowance before she can reapply.
When Are Disabled Children’s Orphan’s Pensions Terminated?
The orphan’s pension for disabled children is terminated in these cases:
- If the disabled beneficiary begins working, the pension is stopped.
- If they start receiving any other pension from SGK, the orphan’s pension is automatically terminated.
- To qualify as disabled for the orphan’s pension, the child must document a disability degree of at least 60%. If a later medical re-examination finds the disability rate below 60%, the pension is terminated.
Disabled students continue to receive the orphan’s pension even if they marry.