14.10.2026 12:17
An important detail regarding the sick leave pay rights of those who continue working after retirement has been announced. It was stated that retirees whose first social security registration was before October 2008 can work either by having their pensions cut or by continuing to receive their pensions under the Social Security Support Premium (SGDP). It was reported that those who have their pensions cut can receive payment from the third day in sickness reports, while those who continue to receive their retirement pension can receive sick leave pay only in the event of a work accident or occupational disease.
SGK Chief Specialist İsa Karakaş stated that citizens whose first insurance start dates before October 2008 and who started working in the private sector after retirement have two different options.
Accordingly, retirees can work subject to all insurance branches by having their pensions cut, or they can continue receiving their retirement salaries and continue working life within the scope of the Social Security Support Premium (SGDP).
However, these two working arrangements lead to different outcomes regarding the temporary incapacity allowance paid by SGK in case of illness and work accident.
THOSE WHO HAVE THEIR PENSION CUT CAN RECEIVE SICK PAY
Citizens who start working in normal insured status by having their retirement pension cut can receive payment for medical reports they obtain due to illness if they meet the required insurance and premium conditions.
In this context, for reports issued due to illness, temporary incapacity allowance is calculated starting from the third day.
In case of a work accident or occupational disease, a different practice applies. These people can have the right to receive sick pay from the first day the work accident occurs.
ATTENTION THOSE WHO BOTH RECEIVE A RETIREMENT SALARY AND WORK
Different rules apply for citizens working in the private sector within the scope of SGDP without having their retirement pension cut.
According to Karakaş's statement, retirees working in this status are not given temporary incapacity allowance for sick leave reports obtained due to flu, cold, and similar general illnesses.
Likewise, reports issued due to maternity do not create a right to illness or maternity allowance within the scope of SGDP.
Therefore, an employee who continues to receive a retirement salary may not be able to receive sick pay from SGK when they get sick and obtain a medical report.
THERE IS AN EXCEPTION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A WORK ACCIDENT
There is an important exception for retirees working within the scope of SGDP for which sick pay is paid. If a working retiree has a work accident or contracts an occupational disease, the right to receive temporary incapacity allowance arises.
In this case, unlike illness reports, the payment can be made from the first day the work accident occurred. However, the incident must be assessed as a work accident or occupational disease within the scope of SGK legislation.
BAĞ-KUR RETIREES CAN CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS
A different practice also applies to Bağ-Kur retirees who are self-employed or partners in a company. Karakaş stated that these people can continue their commercial activities without their retirement pensions being cut.
However, continuing commercial activity does not mean that sick pay can be received due to illness in every case. The right to allowance is determined according to the person's insurance status and the relevant legislation provisions.
RULES ARE DIFFERENT FOR THOSE RECEIVING INVALIDITY PENSION
The working conditions of citizens receiving invalidity pension also differ from other retirees. Karakaş stated that people receiving invalidity pension cannot work within the scope of SGDP without having their salaries cut. On the other hand, retirees granted old-age pension due to disability can work within the scope of SGDP if they meet the required conditions.
Those who start working again in normal insured status after their invalidity pension is cut can receive temporary incapacity allowance from the third day for illness reports and from the first day for work accidents, if they meet the required conditions.
SEPARATE PRACTICE FOR RETIREES WORKING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
There are also special regulations for retirees who start working again in public institutions. According to Karakaş, people working subject to all insurance branches by having their retirement pension cut can benefit from temporary incapacity allowance in reports issued due to illness and work accident if they meet the relevant conditions.
However, the nature of the public institution and the person's working status are important in terms of whether the pension will be cut.
PAY ATTENTION TO THIS DETAIL IN THE EMPLOYMENT ENTRY NOTIFICATION
SGK Chief Specialist İsa Karakaş emphasized that working retirees should check which insurance branch they are shown as subject to in their employment entry declarations.
The sick pay rights of those working within the scope of SGDP while continuing to receive their retirement pension and those who become normally insured by having their pension cut are not the same.
Therefore, it is important for working retirees to monitor their insurance status, the reason for the issuance of medical reports, and the conditions regarding temporary incapacity allowance.