Most Turkish citizens who do not live in Turkey return after retirement and continue their lives here, dreaming of a comfortable retirement just like those who have lived in Turkey all along. Since 11.09.2014, having even a single day of insured service in Turkey has made that dream attainable. Whether holding dual citizenship or qualifying for retirement a second time, the outcome remains the same.
Whether living abroad or inside the country, a law enacted in 1985 clarified procedures so that citizens returning to Turkey can secure their social security. According to this law, it is not strictly required to permanently return to Turkey in order to purchase periods of service performed abroad (yurt dışı hizmet borçlanması). However, permanent return is required for those who wish to actually retire in Turkey.
Refundable Contributions
Because Turkey has social security agreements with certain countries, it is possible to request a refund of contributions paid in those partner countries. The rules and eligibility for refund vary according to each country’s retirement regulations. People who have definitively returned to Turkey after working abroad must wait for two years from the date their foreign insurance ended before applying for a refund. This waiting period is known as the qualifying wait, and only after it lapses can a refund application be made. If the person begins insured employment in Turkey before the two-year period ends, the two-year wait still applies starting from the end of the foreign insurance period.
There are exceptions for widows, widowers, and orphans: the two-year requirement is not applied. Orphans under the age of 18, students who remain dependent until age 18, and orphans with physical or mental disabilities can apply for a refund before turning 27 (for disabled orphans) or upon reaching the appropriate age limit for students.
When calculating the cost of purchasing foreign service periods (yurt dışı emeklilik borçlanması), the calculation is based on the gross amount of the minimum wage in force for the relevant period. For example, the daily debt amount for 2017 was 18.96 TL.
Non-Refundable Contributions
Certain contribution types are not refundable. These include contributions counted for periods spent raising children, the employer’s share of contributions, payments related to unemployment benefits, and contributions for which retirement insurance provided assistance. Such amounts are excluded from refund eligibility.
How to Apply for a Contribution Refund
Turkish citizens living abroad who wish to apply for a refund of contributions should apply in person to the provincial office of the Social Security Institution (SGK) in the province where they reside, presenting their national ID card (T.C. identity number). Both domestic and international retirement inquiries (yurtiçi ve yurtdışı emeklilik sorgulama) can also be handled at SGK provincial directorates.