The Social Security Institution (SGK) is one of the fundamental pillars that ensures the provision of social protection for the citizens of Turkey. It was established to protect and secure their social future against the risks they face by offering a wide range of services that meet various needs, such as health insurance, pensions, and professional damage alternatives.

In this article from Trustus Consultancy, we will review the services provided by SGK, including the services it offers and the beneficiaries of those services.

What is the Social Security Institution?

The Social Security Institution (SGK) or Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu is the government agency responsible for providing social insurance in Turkey. It was established in 2006 after the merger of three main social insurance institutions: the Social Insurance Fund (SSK), the Government Retirement Institution (Emekli Sandığı), and BağKur. The aim of this merger was to unify services and improve the efficiency of the social system under one umbrella.

The institution offers its services in the fields of health, insurance, and social assistance from birth until death and continues to provide services beyond death for the beneficiaries' relatives.

Groups Covered by the Social Security Institution (SGK)

The Social Security Institution includes multiple groups from society within its services, providing both long-term and short-term benefits. These groups are:

• Medical insurance.
• Pension insurance.
• Compensation for occupational accidents.
• Maternity leave.
• Social Security for the disabled.
• Occupational accidents.
• Funeral allowance.
• Marriage assistance.

Who are the beneficiaries of the Social Security Institution's services

The SGK services cover various segments of Turkish society, including:

• Public and private sector workers: This includes employees and workers officially registered for health insurance.
• Business owners: They are required by the state to register for health insurance.
• Self-employed professionals: They can register for retirement and health insurance services through the SGK.
• Families
• Children with disabilities.
• Retirees
• Patients or those needing medical care.
• Turkish citizens.

What services does the Social Security Institution SGK provide?

The Turkish Social Security Institution (SGK) provides comprehensive services aimed at supporting citizens and residents in Turkey by offering healthcare and social insurance. These services vary according to the beneficiaries and their needs, including:

Health Insurance (SSK)

The goal is to provide comprehensive healthcare for individuals by covering medical expenses in public and private hospitals. Individuals have full coverage in government hospitals, which includes outpatient and inpatient services. In private hospitals, costs are partially covered, and individuals are responsible for a certain percentage of the expenses, based on agreements that determine the discount rate.

Additionally, the institution provides full or partial coverage for state-approved medications, which can be dispensed from pharmacies contracted with SGK. The health insurance card also covers physical therapy and rehabilitation services, as well as emergency and ambulance services.

This is for Turkish citizens, but does health insurance include foreigners? Yes, health insurance includes Turks and foreign residents registered in Turkey when working officially, as well as other services provided by the Social Security Institution.

Occupational Accident Insurance

This insurance covers accidents individuals may face while working, including medical care and financial compensation.

Retirement Insurance

Retirement insurance ensures individuals receive a pension after reaching retirement age or in cases of disability or death. This system includes:

• General retirement pension: Individuals must complete a certain number of years or days of work and pay contributions to receive the pension, which requires completing 9,000 workdays.
• Disability pension: Granted to individuals with permanent disabilities that prevent them from working.
• Survivor's pension: Provided to the families of deceased individuals who were registered with SGK.

Maternity Support

• Paid maternity leave: Mothers are granted paid leave starting 8 weeks before birth and continuing for 8 weeks after.
• Breastfeeding support: Financial support is provided to mothers to cover breastfeeding needs.

Unemployment Insurance

This aims to provide financial compensation for individuals who have lost their jobs for reasons beyond their control temporarily due to illness, injury, or other causes, provided that the individual has worked at least 600 paid days in the last 3 years before job loss and has paid 120 days of insurance premiums in the last 4 months.

The duration of unemployment insurance support depends on the period of paid work and contributions in the system, as follows:

• 600 paid days: The individual is entitled to support for 180
• 900 paid days: The individual is entitled to support for 240
• 1080 paid days: The individual is entitled to support for 300

Insurance for People with Disabilities

SGK provides financial support and comprehensive healthcare for people with disabilities, including coverage for medical assistive devices like wheelchairs, cochlear implants, and prosthetic limbs. It also covers dental treatment costs up to 40%.

Additionally, it covers hospital expenses, work compensations, incentives for private sector workers, and pensions.

Regarding retirement, individuals with a disability report of 40% or more, whether congenital or acquired, can obtain a tax exemption certificate with this report. They are allowed to retire after completing the required number of premium days and insurance period based on their employment history and degree of disability, regardless of age.

SSI also offers a retirement pension for insured individuals whose disability has been determined, under conditions that vary according to the degree of disability:

• 40% to 49% work incapacity: Must have worked for at least 18 years and paid 4,680 days of contributions.
• 50% to 59% work incapacity: Must have worked for at least 16 years and paid 4,320 days of contributions.
• 60% or more work incapacity: Must have worked for at least 10 years and paid 1,800 days of contributions.

Social Services for Vulnerable Groups

SGK offers social care services specifically for the elderly, orphans, and individuals in need who do not have a stable income or financial support from their families.

Difference Between Key Terms in the Social Security Institution

SGK (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu)

This is the general name for the Turkish Social Security Institution, which oversees all forms of social, retirement, and health insurance in Turkey. SGK manages all social security systems, including health insurance, retirement programs, occupational accident insurance, and more.

SSK (Sosyal Sigortalar Kurumu)

This is a service provided by SGK, specifically referring to social insurance for private sector workers. Employees working in private companies are registered in this system, which covers their health care, retirement insurance, and occupational accident compensation needs.

GSS (Genel Sağlık Sigortası)

This stands for general mandatory health insurance, which covers Turkish citizens who are not registered for health insurance as business owners or workers. GSS aims to provide health care for individuals whose average monthly income per family member is less than one-third of the minimum wage, and it includes full or partial medical coverage for all family members.

Bağkur (Esnaf ve Sanatkârlar Sosyal Sigortalar Kurumu)

This is the health insurance system for business owners and self-employed workers, which must be paid by business owners.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have presented a comprehensive introductory article about the Social Security Institution in Turkey, outlining the insurance services it offers and the groups that can receive support from the institution.

If you need more details or have inquiries about navigating legal procedures in Turkey, please contact us at Trustus Consultancy. We are here to assist you with everything you need in the Turkish real estate market, medical tourism, and the processing and translation of documents.

Edited by: Trustus©

Sources: Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu