Individuals working as insured employees may retire if certain conditions are met. These conditions are specified under Law No. 5510 and Law No. 5434. Under these laws, the basic requirements for retirement are the duration of insurance, the number of premium days paid, and age. In cases where the age and insurance duration requirements are met, but the number of paid premium days is insufficient, individuals may have the opportunity to retire by retroactively purchasing the missing premiums under certain conditions. Each type of premium purchase has its specific requirements. Maternity debt, or “doğum borçlanması,” is one of these types.
What is Maternity Debt?
Maternity debt is a program that allows insured women who have given birth to increase their number of insurance premium days by paying backdated premiums under certain conditions. By utilizing maternity debt, individuals can gain the opportunity to retire at an earlier age.
Who Can Apply for Maternity Debt?
Maternity debt is a type of debt specific to women. All women, regardless of whether they are in the 4/a (SSK), 4/b (Bağ-Kur), or 4/c (Retirement Fund) status, who have given birth, can benefit from this type of debt.
How Long Can Maternity Debt Cover?
Maternity debt covers the two-year period following childbirth. Women who have given birth are entitled to borrow up to 720 days. However, they are not required to borrow the entire 720 days; the 720-day limit is a maximum, and women may choose the duration they wish to borrow within this limit.
Another condition for maternity debt is that, during the two-year period following childbirth, the individual must not have been covered by long-term insurance.
What Benefits Does Maternity Debt Provide?
To retire, individuals must fulfill the requirements of insurance duration, premium days, and age. Maternity debt increases the premium day count for women. When a woman steps away from her professional life due to childbirth, her premium days may be insufficient, even if she meets the other retirement requirements. Maternity debt provides an opportunity for women to complete their premium days for the period they were away from work. Therefore, the retirement age itself is not reduced.
How Many Children Can Be Covered for Maternity Debt?
Maternity debt is limited in duration and is available for up to three children. In this case, women who have given birth may borrow up to a total of 2,160 days.
Can Maternity Debt Be Used if the Baby Is Not Born Alive?
For maternity debt to be applicable, the baby must be born fully and alive. If the baby is not born fully and alive, the debt option is not available. However, if the baby is born alive and subsequently passes away, maternity debt may still be applicable, provided all other conditions are met.
How to Apply for Maternity Debt?
Applications for maternity debt are made to the Social Security Institution (SGK) Provincial Directorate in the applicant's area of residence. Applications can be submitted either in person or by post, with registered post being recommended for mail applications for security.
For female civil servants, a maternity debt application can be made by preparing a petition to the Public Officials Department of the General Directorate of Insurance Premiums at SGK.
Additionally, applications for maternity debt can be made online via the e-government portal.
Required Documents for Maternity Debt Application
There is no need to obtain any documents from the employer for maternity debt applications. An identity copy and the maternity debt application form are sufficient. Applications can also be submitted via the e-government portal.
Maternity Debt Payments for 2024
For 2024, the daily maternity debt payment amount is set at 32% of the determined income amount. If calculated based on the minimum wage, the lowest daily maternity debt payment is 666.75 TL, while the highest is 5,000.63 TL. Calculations are made according to these rates.
Payment Deadline for Maternity Debt
The amount calculated by the SGK for maternity debt must be paid within one month. Otherwise, the debt request will be canceled. Payments can be made through banks or via the PTT.
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