Which Diseases Are Included in Disability Retirement?
Disability retirement is a right that allows individuals who have seriously lost their workforce to retire early. However, not every health problem is included in the scope of disability retirement. Certain diseases and health conditions determined by the Social Security Institution are considered suitable for disability retirement. In this article, we will discuss the diseases that are considered in the scope of disability retirement and the points to be considered in this process.

1. Cancer
Scope: Cancer patients can retire in disability, especially in advanced cases that do not respond to treatment. Disability is evaluated according to the type of cancer and the treatment process.
Example: Mehmet Bey, who was diagnosed with lung cancer, gained the right to retire in disability because it was in an advanced stage and he had lost a large part of his workforce.
2. Cardiovascular Diseases
Scope: Serious heart diseases such as heart failure, coronary artery disease and heart valve diseases can cause people to lose 60% of their workforce and these diseases can be included in the scope of disability retirement.
Example: Ayşe Hanım, who suffered heart failure after a serious heart attack, retired on disability after documenting with a doctor’s report that she lost 65% of her work capacity.
3. Nervous System Diseases
Scope: Some serious diseases affecting the nervous system can cause disability. Progressive diseases in particular can cause disability retirement.
Example: Ali Bey, who has multiple sclerosis (MS), has lost a great deal of his mobility due to the progression of his disease and has applied for disability retirement.
4. Psychiatric Diseases
Scope: Serious psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression can be considered suitable for disability retirement in cases that require continuous treatment and cause loss of work capacity.
Example: Zeynep Hanım, who has been treated for schizophrenia for years, retired on disability because her disease affected her work capacity by 70%.
5. Respiratory System Diseases
Scope: Diseases that cause respiratory failure, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and advanced asthma, are considered within the scope of disability retirement.
Example: Mr. Hasan, who was diagnosed with COPD, became eligible for disability retirement due to the progression of the disease and shortness of breath, and lost his ability to work.
6. Renal Failure
Scope: Chronic renal failure and kidney diseases requiring dialysis seriously affect the patient’s working capacity and may qualify for disability retirement.
Example: Mr. Ahmet, who continues his life depending on dialysis, applied for disability retirement due to the loss of his ability to work and received approval.
7. Hearing and Vision Loss
Scope: People with advanced hearing loss or vision loss can apply for disability retirement. Vision loss generally applies to losses of 80% or more in both eyes.
Example: Mrs. Fatma, who lost 90% of her vision in both eyes, benefited from disability retirement.
8. Musculoskeletal System Diseases
Scope: Musculoskeletal system diseases such as spinal diseases, advanced rheumatism or muscular dystrophies can significantly reduce mobility and cause disability.
Example: Mr. Murat, who lost a significant amount of mobility due to spinal disease, retired with a disability with a doctor’s report.
9. Advanced Diabetes
Scope: Complications of diabetes, especially kidney failure, blindness or nerve damage, can lead to serious health problems that cause loss of work capacity.
Example: Ali, who suffered from kidney failure due to advanced diabetes, became eligible for disability retirement with a doctor’s report.
The diseases determined for disability retirement are health problems that seriously affect the person’s work capacity. However, in all cases, the loss of work capacity must be documented by a health board report authorized by the Social Security Institution (SGK) as 60% or more. Care must be taken during the application process and the necessary documents must be submitted completely.