SGK has begun work: They will now be eligible for a pension! Legal regulation is on the way

The Social Security Institution (SGK) has taken a critical step concerning tens of thousands of terror victims who have been waiting for a solution for a long time. Pensions, which could previously only be granted by the decisions of Damage Assessment Commissions affiliated with governorships, can now be obtained through various other official documents. The practice has come into effect across all of Turkey.

COURT RULINGS WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED VALID

The SGK has sent an official letter to the Ministry of Interior to overcome the bureaucratic bottleneck regarding the pension requests of citizens who have been victimized by terrorist incidents.

According to the report by Sabah, it will now be possible to receive a pension with alternative official documents such as court rulings or documents issued by judicial or administrative institutions, without the need for a decision from the Damage Assessment Commissions.

With this change, a new door of hope has been opened for victims and beneficiaries whose applications have been pending for years.

HOW WILL THE APPLICATION PROCESS WORK?

Victims or their heirs who wish to receive a pension can submit their applications directly to the SGK, or they can apply with a petition to the local administrative authorities in the province or district where they reside, or to the General Directorate of Provincial Administration of the Ministry of Interior. There are two important time rules for the application:

Within 60 days from the date of learning about the incident

And at the latest within one year from the date of the incident.

Preparations are also underway to make this flexibility, which has been implemented temporarily, permanent. The SGK is working on a new legal regulation in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the Ministry of Interior. The prepared draft is planned to be submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) before the end of the term.

HOW MUCH WILL THE PENSION AMOUNTS BE?

The pensions to be granted with the new practice will vary according to the degree of disability. The pension amounts to be paid will be as follows:

For 1st-degree disabled: 9,619 TL

For 2nd-degree disabled: 7,695 TL

For 3rd-degree disabled: 5,771 TL

A monthly pension of 9,619 TL will also be paid to the surviving spouses and children of those who lost their lives in terrorist incidents. These payments will be covered by the budget of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.

CASH COMPENSATION AMOUNTS UPDATED

As of 2025, an increase has also been made in cash compensation payments. Accordingly:

To the relatives of those who lost their lives: 961,928 TL

In cases of severe disability: 1,923,856.40 TL

A court ruling is not required for these compensation payments. Decisions made by the relevant commissions are considered sufficient.

85 THOUSAND FILES ARE STILL WAITING

According to SGK data, approximately 100 thousand applications have been made to 57 Damage Assessment Commissions operating in 50 provinces since 2019. However, only 57 percent of these applications could be concluded. Around 85 thousand files are still waiting to be processed.