What are the differences between disability retirement and normal retirement?

Disability retirement and normal retirement are types of retirement provided with different conditions and rights within the scope of the social security system. There are significant differences between these two types of retirement. Below, we will discuss the differences between disability retirement and normal retirement in detail.

1. Conditions Required for Retirement
Disability Retirement:
In order to retire due to disability, you must have lost at least 60% of your working capacity.
This situation must be documented with a health board report.
At least 10 years of insurance and 1800 days of premium payment are required.
Example: Ahmet Bey, who was unable to work due to heart disease, became entitled to disability retirement with a 65% loss of working capacity report.
Normal Retirement:
In normal retirement, it is sufficient to reach a certain age and complete the number of premium days.
In Turkey, men can retire between the ages of 60-65 and women between the ages of 58-65.
Generally, it is required to have worked 7200 premium days (approximately 20 years).

Example: Ayşe Hanım, who has been working for 30 years, is 58 years old and has completed the required premium days, thus becoming eligible for normal retirement.

2. Reason for Retirement
Disability Retirement:
Disability retirement is granted when a person has a health problem that prevents them from working. Disease, accident or other health problems that cause loss of labor force may be reasons for disability retirement.
Example: Murat Bey, who received a 70% incapacity report as a result of a work accident, applied for disability retirement and retired.
Normal Retirement:
In normal retirement, the person retires after reaching a certain age and completing the premium days. Health status is not a factor here.
Example: Ayşe Hanım, who has no health problems and completed the insurance premium days, became eligible for normal retirement at the age of 60.

3. Retirement Process and Application
Disability Retirement:
In disability retirement, the person must first obtain a health board report. This report determines the rate of loss of labor force.
The health report is submitted to the SGK and reviewed by the SGK.
If the disability is accepted, retirement procedures begin.

Example: Hasan Bey, who was seriously injured in a work accident, applied to the SGK after receiving a disability report and became eligible for disability retirement.
Normal Retirement:
In normal retirement, when the person’s insurance period ends, it is sufficient to apply to the SGK. There is no need to obtain a health report.
Example: Fatma Hanım, who completed 25 years of work, applied to the SGK after completing her premium days and became eligible for normal retirement.
4. Calculation of Retirement Pension
Disability Retirement:
The retirement pension of a person who retired due to disability is calculated according to the degree of loss of labor and the number of premium payment days.
In addition, disabled retirees may receive a lower salary than normal retirees because their working hours are usually shorter.
Example: Ahmet Bey, since he retired due to disability at a young age, was granted a salary with fewer premium days and received a lower salary than normal retirees.
Normal Retirement:
Normal retirement salary is calculated by taking into account the person’s working period, the number of premium payment days and gross salary.

Since the working period is longer, the salary of normal retirees is usually higher.

Example: Emine Hanım, who has been insured for 30 years, receives a higher retirement salary since she has completed her premium days and insurance period.

5. Return to Working Life
Disability Retirement:
If people who retire due to disability start working again, their disability retirement salaries are cut off. Because retirement due to disability indicates that the person has lost their working capacity.

Example: Murat Bey, who started working after retirement, had his disability retirement salary cut off.
Normal Retirement:
People who retire normally can continue working after retirement and their retirement salaries are not cut off.

Example: Mehmet Bey, who started working as a consultant after retirement, continued to receive both his salary and retirement salary.

6. Benefiting from Health Services
Disability Retirement:
In disability retirement, the person continues to benefit from the health services provided by the Social Security Institution free of charge. In addition, additional assistance may be provided for those in need of care.

Example: Zeynep Hanım, who retired due to a work accident, continued to benefit from state health services after retirement.
Normal Retirement:
Normal retirees can also benefit from the health services provided by the Social Security Institution free of charge.
Example: Ali Bey, who received treatment at the hospital after retirement, benefited from health services free of charge within the scope of the Social Security Institution.

7. Age Requirement
Disability Retirement:
There is no age requirement for disability retirement. A person can retire as soon as he loses his ability to work due to health reasons.

Example: Hasan Bey, who suffered a serious illness at the age of 45, retired early due to disability because he lost his ability to work.
Normal Retirement:
There is an age requirement for normal retirement. Men can retire between the ages of 60-65, and women between the ages of 58-65.
Example: Ayşe Hanım, who has reached the age of 60 and completed her premium days, has earned the right to normal retirement since she has also met the age requirement.

Disability retirement and normal retirement are social security rights provided in different situations and conditions. While disability retirement is more for those who have to end their working lives due to health problems, normal retirement is a right that anyone who has reached a certain age and premium days can apply for. The differences between the two types of retirement become evident in important issues such as the application process, salary calculation and benefiting from health services.