Disability pension is a monthly benefit paid to individuals who have lost a certain portion of their working capacity, to prevent financial hardship when they can no longer continue working. The conditions for receiving a disability pension are defined under Law No. 5510 on Social Insurances and General Health Insurance.
Those who meet the insurance period and contribution day requirements can apply for a disability pension if they have lost at least 60% of their working capacity. The progress of whether the pension will be granted can be followed through the e-government system. The pension amount is calculated based on the insured period and the number of insured days.
What Are the Conditions to Qualify for a Disability Pension?
The conditions applicants must meet to retire on disability are listed below:
- The insured period must be at least 10 years.
- At least 800 days of paid contributions are required.
- The reason for leaving work must be disability and it must be documented.
- There must be a minimum 60% loss in working capacity.
- There must be no outstanding contribution debt from previous periods.
- An application for the disability pension must be submitted.
Documents Required for a Disability Pension Application
Applicants must submit the following documents when applying for disability retirement:
- A written application petition for the disability pension.
- A benefit entitlement request form.
- A declaration and undertaking form.
- The insured’s employment termination notification.
- A referral approval for disability retirement.
- A medical board report confirming the applicant’s disability.
Where Can the Required Medical Board Report Be Obtained?
To receive a disability pension, the disability must be documented with a medical board report. This report must clearly state the cause of the disability and the degree of loss of working capacity.
The medical board report can be obtained from the following fully equipped institutions:
- Training and research hospitals.
- University hospitals.
- State hospitals with medical board services.
How to Apply for a Disability Pension
To apply for a disability pension, prepare the required documents and write the application petition. Then submit the application to the local Social Security Institution (SGK) provincial or district office, or to the SGK central office.
Public sector employees should apply through their employer institution. Those covered under other insurance schemes should apply through the Social Security Institution (SGK).
After the application is submitted, officials will refer the applicant to a hospital. The applicant must obtain the medical board report from that hospital.
Once the report is obtained, it must be submitted to the Social Security Institution. The institution evaluates the application based on the report and other documents. The applicant’s employer is informed of the outcome, and the applicant is later notified of the decision.
Who Can Apply for a Disability Pension?
Certain illnesses and conditions qualify an individual to apply for a disability pension when they directly and significantly affect the person’s ability to work.
Those who may be eligible to apply include:
- Individuals with life-threatening cancers may qualify for disability retirement.
- Those with severe epilepsy may be eligible for disability retirement.
- People with major mental health disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may receive a disability pension.
- Individuals with advanced organ failures—such as in the lungs, kidneys, or heart—may qualify for disability retirement.
- Those infected with tuberculosis or AIDS can apply for disability retirement where applicable.
- People with severe visual impairments may be granted the right to retire on disability.
- Loss of a limb, such as an arm, hand, or leg, can qualify an individual to apply for a disability pension.
When Is a Disability Pension Terminated?
The following situations can lead to the suspension or termination of a disability pension:
- If the medical board report shows that the disabling condition has ended, the pension will be stopped once this is determined.
- If a pension recipient returns to work as an insured employee, they can generally no longer continue to receive the disability pension.
- If the loss of working capacity falls below 60%, the disability pension is terminated.