Voluntary insurance constitutes one of the rights brought by the Turkish Social Security System. Accordingly, among those residing in Türkiye and Turkish citizens residing in countries where a social security agreement has not been signed while residing in Türkiye can be voluntarily insured as to fit the following conditions:
- Those who are over the age of 18,
- Those who do not work in a way that requires compulsory insurance as subject to the Act No. 5510,
- Those who work as insured but work less than 30 days a month or do not work full time,
- Those who do not receive disability or old-age pension according to social security laws in Türkiye due to their own insurance.
Those who want to be voluntarily insured for the first time must apply by going to the provincial social security directorates/social security centers where they reside with the “Voluntary Insurance Entry Declaration”, a sample of which is included in the annex of the Social Insurance Procedures Regulation. In addition, online applications can be made via e-Government. For insured individuals who want to be voluntarily insured again, it is sufficient to apply with a request petition.
Optional insurance starts from the day following the date the application is transferred to the Social Security Institution records.
The optional insurance premium is determined according to the daily earnings declared by the insured, provided that it remains between the lower and upper limits of the daily earnings subject to premium.
The optional insurance premium rate is 32% of the monthly premium determined by the insured, between the lower and upper limits of the earnings subject to premium. 20% of this is the disability, old age and death insurance premium, and 12% is the general health insurance premium. Accordingly, for the calendar year of 2024; the monthly minimum premium amount that an optional insured who declares earnings from the lower limit of the daily earnings subject to premium must pay is 6,400.80 TL. This amount increases with the change of the national gross minimum wage.
An insured who does not pay the premium of the month within twelve months at the latest loses the opportunity to pay the premium debt for that month, and the insured cannot be provided with services for the relevant month for which the premium debt is not paid.
Voluntary insured can be able to get retired if to fulfill the retirement conditions.
Voluntary insurance shall be end in the following cases:
- For those who request to terminate their voluntary insurance, it ends from the day following the last day of premium payment.
- For those who request monthly benefits, it ends from the date of request provided that they are entitled to monthly benefits.
- For the deceased insured, it ends by the date of the death.
In sum, voluntary insurance constitutes one of the rights brought by the Turkish Social Security System. Accordingly, among those residing in Türkiye and Turkish citizens residing in countries where a social security agreement has not been signed while residing in Türkiye can be voluntarily insured as to fit certain conditions. Voluntary insured can be able to get retired if to fulfill the retirement conditions.
