Job Discussion Forums

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:16 pm Post subject: Retiring and pensions

Hi
Does anyone have any info about the turkish pension payments to retires? ı've been here a while and luckily I worked for places who paid my contributions in to the local system so looks likeI got one to look forward to. Just wondered if there are any others out there who are in a similar situation?

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

I am, but I keep getting mixed information, including that we can get it all in cash when we leave Turkey, despite our age. I'd love some real info... Maybe someone knows a lawyer who is an expert in expat issues?

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 1:11 pm Post subject:

Yeah that is the case with me too, the more people you ask the more different answers you get. What I do know is that to get any pension payment you must have a minimum of 5750 days paid contributions, thats like 15 years worth, after that you can keep working or ask for some cash back. At that point you can take early retirement but most people keep working and paying in to boost up their pension payments. I understand there is a lump sum payment at some point but don't know the mechanics of it. anyway no doubt others will have something more to offer, unless me and thee are the only two!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

That may be true for Turks, but I've heard from several people that as foreigners, we should be able to get our pensions when we leave. However, in the last enquiry I made (last month), I heard that that's only true if you're above 60.

I'm sure there's a way to get that money sooner; I just don't know how...

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

I think you'll find it's 5750 working days of contributions, which is more like 25 years, I think. And you can't claim now until you are over 60. It used to be just 15 years, thanks to a prime minister in the 90s who knew he would not have to pick up the tab. Since the banking crisis 10 years ago (Turkey had its credit crunch early, which made it immune from the recent one that got US and UK) the system here has been converging with European systems.

In theory you should be eligible, if you are here at 60 and have made enough contributions. I have never heard of a foreigner who has done that yet, I have my fingers crossed. You can see how many contributions you have made online. You need your TC kimlik number (foreigners with residence permits have one too) and your SGK sicil number, if I remember rightly. It's a very impressive system. I'll post the link a bit later when I've looked it up.

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Thanks Billy. So, you're saying that that money is untouchable unless we've both worked 5750 days in Turkey and are over 60? Surely that musn't be correct... I can understand the 60 years old thing, but as a foreigner, we must be exempt from the 5750 days, musn't we?

Musn't we? Sad

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

If you have completed the necessary number of days, you get the pension. If you haven't, you don't. It is the same in UK. Maybe you are thinking of a private contributory pension scheme, where you get out whatever you have paid in over the years plus interest. That is not how the state systems work in Turkey and in UK.

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

However, I've read that the UK has an agreement with Turkey whereby your days worked here count there towards retirement. Any word about that? I've also heard that it's precisely because of that lack of agreement that US citizens can claim the money early.

I'm not saying you're wrong - you sound way more knowledgeable about this than I am. I'm only sharing what I've heard from less reliable sources. It just doesn't seem proper that in this day and age, so many people who are working abroad should lose ALL of the money they've paid into social retirement schemes just because they've been abroad for a substantial period of their work life...

I call shenanigans.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:20 am Post subject:

Billy, ı had a look at the site, so far ı'm on 5310 days so just a shade over a year left working on 360 days contributions per annum. It should nicely coincide with my 60th as well. There is another guy who has already got it plus a monthly salary, but schhhhhh, its not really for some people to know about!
There is also an agreement between Turkey and UK relating to pension payments some suggest merging them and getting an earlier retirement. Personally I favour keeping them seperate and getting both at different times.

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

I tend to feel it's heads they win, tails we lose in these kinds of matters. I've already made the necessary number of contributions for a UK state pension. I have also made contributions to the Turkish system, not enough but there is the option to top it up. I have a feeling that the reciprocity element in the system will prevent me getting a state pension from both UK and Turkey, but who knows.

As for getting refunds from the system, I had always thought that state systems don't give give refunds on money paid in because what the systems pay out is not limited to the value of the contributions made (unlike private systems). I may be wrong, though. About 5 years ago it was possible for foreigners to opt out of SSK contributions, which I did, but that is not longer possible.

One hears lots of things being said about what one is entitled to. These ideas are sometimes based on things that used to be the case but no longer are, or based on misunderstandings, or just wishful thinking. And sometimes theyare right.

All one can do is deal with things as and when they arise, e.g. I have paid this, am I entitled to that. Sometimes the relevant officers may not know the correct interpretation of rules, and it would take a lawyer to establish a case. The situation is often unclear, but probably worth exploring.

So to sum it all up, I don't really know anything!

PC Parrot · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:13 pm Post subject:

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

Oh dear, I do apologise to everyone for providing incorrect information, I am behind the times terribly. I have managed to prove my own point that some of what one hears is out of date. Sorry.

Roundtrip · Joined: 02 Mar 2011 Posts: 12 Location: Georgia

Moonshadow_51 · Joined: 09 Apr 2011 Posts: 143 Location: Turkey

I found this URL, showing the age limits or policies in a number of countries:

http://www.internationalschoolsreview.com/nonmembers/age-article.htm

It looks like Vietnam has no limit, and Turkey allows teachers to remain here well after 60. There are others, too.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 11:57 am Post subject:

Fine, good news all round then? here we go, here we go!