Proposal submitted to Parliament: SGK premiums are increasing, upper limit is changing

With the "Draft Law on Amendments to Tax Laws and Certain Laws and Decree-Law No. 631" submitted to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), a new regulation will be introduced to the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law.

According to the report on Mynet, the change will increase premium rates for disability, old-age, and survivor insurance. The main areas where premium rates are expected to change under the proposal are listed as follows:

• Optional insurance premiums and payments
• Insurance of those working intermittently in agriculture and forestry
• Insured persons under part-time employment
• Those working in domestic services and residential doorkeepers

GOAL: SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM

The primary objective of the prepared legislative proposal is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the social security system by protecting the actuarial balance of the Social Security Institution (SGK).

In this context, an amendment will be made to the article of the law titled "Premium rates and State contribution." The new regulation will enter into force on January 1, 2026.

Furthermore, the upper limit for earnings subject to premiums, which is currently set at 7.5 times the minimum wage, will be increased to 9 times the minimum wage once the regulation takes effect.

DEDUCTION LIMIT FROM INCOME AND PENSIONS WILL BE 25%

With the new proposal, an upper limit has also been set for the premium debts of those receiving income or pensions from the SGK.

Accordingly, all debts of these individuals, including general health insurance premiums arising from their own insurance or through a person they are entitled to, will be collected by deduction, not exceeding 25% of their income or pensions.

The procedures and principles of the application will be determined by a regulation to be issued by the SGK. This article will also enter into force as of January 1, 2026.

WHAT DOES THE UPPER LIMIT FOR EARNINGS SUBJECT TO PREMIUMS MEAN?

Insurance premiums are calculated based on the gross earnings of employees. However, the state sets a lower and upper limit for these earnings each year.

The upper limit for earnings subject to premiums refers to the maximum gross salary amount that can be taken into account in premium calculations.

For employees earning a salary above this limit, SGK premiums are calculated only on the specified upper amount.

The monthly upper limit set for 2025 is 195,041.40 TL.

In other words, even if an employee's salary is, for example, 300,000 TL, SGK premiums are deducted only on 195,041.40 TL.

News Source: 12punto