What is voluntary insurance? Voluntary insurance means obtaining retirement rights by paying premiums from outside the formal employment system. Individuals who are not insured because they do not work or are not employed by an employer can apply for this option.
Those researching what voluntary insurance is often want to know whether they are eligible to apply. If eligible, they can begin paying premiums to qualify for a retirement pension later. If premiums are paid regularly, it is possible to retire under a voluntary insurance arrangement.
What Is the Difference Between Voluntary Insurance and Regular Insurance?
The main difference between voluntary insurance and regular insurance is the element of choice. Voluntary insurance is established upon the individual’s request if they meet the required conditions.
People often ask, what is 4a voluntary insurance? When insurance is paid from outside the employment relationship, there is no strict 4a, 4b, 4c distinction in practice. This type of insurance is taken out at the person’s request and the rights obtained are similar to those under 4b voluntary insurance.
You might also wonder what 4b voluntary insurance means. This category historically referred to former BAĞ-KUR subscribers. With the unification of social insurance systems, BAĞ-KUR became known as 4b. Those already covered under 4a, 4b or 4c cannot apply for voluntary retirement because they are already in mandatory insurance schemes.
Can You Retire with Voluntary Insurance?
Voluntary insurance can be used to obtain retirement. By paying voluntary SGK premiums, you can earn the right to a pension. To retire from outside the formal employment system, premiums must be fully paid and a retirement application must be submitted. Other requirements, such as the first insurance registration date and age, also apply.
The answer to how many years for voluntary insurance to qualify for retirement depends on the initial insurance date and the number of premium payment days. Laws can allow gaps from regular insurance to be completed through voluntary payments. For example, individuals benefiting from early retirement laws (EYT) can complete missing premium days by paying them personally to qualify for retirement.
What Are the Conditions for Voluntary Retirement?
- The primary requirement for voluntary retirement is residence in Turkey.
- Not working, or working less than 30 days per month as a 4a employee.
- Not receiving a monthly pension from SGK to be eligible for voluntary insurance.
- To make SGK voluntary payments, you must be older than 18.
- To retire from outside the employment system, a formal application must be made to the Social Security Institution.
Voluntary Insurance Premiums for 2023
The voluntary insurance premium for 2023 starts at 3,202.56 TL per month. The upper amount is determined by the earnings declared by the insured.
| Period | Monthly Premium Based on Minimum Earnings | Monthly Premium Based on Maximum Earnings |
| 01.01.2023 – 31.12.2023 | 3.202,56 TL | 24.019,20 TL |
| 01.07.2022 – 31.12.2022 | 2.070,72 TL | 15.530,40 TL |
| 01.01.2022 – 30.06.2022 | 1.601,28 TL | 12.009,60 TL |
| 01.01.2021 – 31.12.2021 | 1.144,80 TL | 8.586 TL |
Premium is calculated as 32% of the declared earnings base. Of this 32%, 20% covers disability, old-age and survivors’ insurance; the remainder is for general health insurance.
What Types of Voluntary Insurance Exist?
- Types of voluntary insurance are generally evaluated as 4a and 4b.
- 4a voluntary insurance refers to completing missing days when working fewer than thirty days per month.
- If voluntary premium payments exceed 1,261 days, the insured may be categorized under 4b.
Those who pay all their premiums voluntarily are considered voluntary insured under 4b classification.
Who Should Choose Voluntary Insurance?
People who may prefer voluntary insurance include homemakers, students, and part-time workers. Foreign nationals residing in Turkey may also benefit from this insurance option.
Individuals who go abroad to work can use voluntary insurance even if they no longer reside in Turkey, depending on circumstances and applicable agreements.
Those receiving certain monthly payments from the Social Security Institution may still be eligible for voluntary insurance depending on the type of benefit. For example, beneficiaries of death income or permanent incapacity payments can qualify for retirement through outside premium payments. Our article on homemakers and retirement provides more details.
Who Can Be Voluntarily Insured?
The first requirement for those who can become voluntarily insured is residence in Turkey. This requirement does not apply to individuals working abroad in countries without a social security agreement. People who are not insured or who work fewer than thirty days a month can use this right. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
How Is Voluntary Insurance Obtained?
Those who want to become voluntarily insured must complete the Voluntary Insurance Entry Declaration and submit it to SGK. Applications can be made via the e-Government portal or at the local SGK office. After approval, you must pay your premiums regularly. Insurance coverage begins from the day following acceptance of your application.
How Is Voluntary Insurance Canceled?
To cancel voluntary insurance, you must submit a petition to SGK. Coverage ends at the last day of the month in which the final premium payment was made, and no further premium is due the following month.
Voluntary insurance is also canceled if premium payments are not made. Applicants who registered but failed to pay premiums can request SGK to terminate their voluntary coverage.
Those who begin living abroad may continue voluntary insurance until they find work overseas, but starting employment abroad will terminate their Turkish voluntary coverage.
Voluntary insurance ends automatically if the insured becomes covered under 4a, 4b, or 4c mandatory schemes. In the event of the insured’s death, beneficiaries must request cancellation. Once a voluntarily insured person becomes eligible for and begins receiving a retirement pension, premium payments are no longer required.
What Happens if Voluntary Insurance Is Canceled?
If voluntary insurance is canceled, no further premium payments are required. If the insured has made partial payments, they may recover paid amounts in case of cancellation, subject to the institution’s rules. However, if the insured owes the institution due to mandatory coverage under 4b or another reason, paid premiums will be applied to outstanding debts.
After cancellation, rights to retirement, disability, and survivors’ pensions under voluntary insurance are lost. General Health Insurance services provided under voluntary coverage also cease. If an individual cannot access health insurance through parents, spouse, or children, an income test may be required to determine eligibility for GHI either by paying contributions or free of charge.
When Does Voluntary Insurance End?
Voluntary insurance ends in cases such as death, retirement, or voluntary withdrawal. To end coverage due to non-payment of premiums, the insured must request cancellation. Beginning work under 4a, 4b, or 4c also terminates voluntary coverage.
Those who start working abroad likewise lose voluntary insurance rights. Because coverage ends automatically when formal employment starts, no additional procedure is needed. However, those who stop paying premiums and wish to exit the system must submit a petition to the Social Security Institution. Even if you cancel voluntary insurance, you retain the right to reapply later.
When can I retire under voluntary insurance?
To retire under voluntary insurance, a condition of 9,000 days of premiums applies.
Can you retire with voluntary insurance?
Yes—if you meet the required premium and other conditions, you can retire through voluntary insurance.
What happens to voluntary insurance when I start a job?
When you start a job, voluntary insurance is terminated.
Does voluntary insurance cover health services?
Yes, those with voluntary insurance can benefit from health services covered under the scheme.
What happens with voluntary insurance if I lose my job?
If you lose your job, you can continue paying premiums under voluntary insurance to maintain coverage.
What are the advantages of being voluntarily insured?
Voluntary insurance offers the opportunity to retire even when you are not working in a formal employment relationship.