Survivor Pension for Spouses of Deceased Turkish Citizens

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Legal Background

When a retired or insured Turkish citizen passes away, their surviving spouse may be entitled to a survivor’s pension (“ölüm aylığı”) under the Social Security and General Health Insurance Law (No. 5510). This pension is managed by the Social Security Institution (SGK) and aims to provide financial continuity for dependents after the insured person’s death.

Eligibility Criteria

According to SGK’s official guidance, the spouse must have a legally valid marriage to the deceased at the time of death. Cohabitation without marriage or an unregistered religious marriage is not sufficient to qualify.
In practice, the applicant must submit:

  • The death certificate of the insured person,

  • Proof of marriage registration (marriage certificate), and

  • A copy of the applicant’s identification (and passport if living abroad).

Foreign spouses of Turkish citizens may apply either directly through SGK offices in Turkey or via Turkish embassies and consulates abroad.

Amount and Payment Ratios

The monthly benefit rate depends on whether the deceased had other dependents (such as children entitled to a share of the pension).
Under SGK regulations:

  • If the deceased leaves a spouse and children, the surviving spouse receives 50% of the pension.

  • If there are no children entitled to the pension, the surviving spouse receives 75% of the deceased’s pension amount.

These rates are consistent with the official SGK statement published on February 26, 2025, confirming that the standard ratio for a widow is 50%, or 75% if there are no other beneficiaries.

Residence Abroad and Payment Process

If the surviving spouse resides abroad, they may still receive payments through international banking channels. The SGK requires periodic confirmation that the recipient is alive (“hayatta belgesi” or certificate of existence), typically obtained from the nearest Turkish consulate or local municipal authority.

The pension is normally paid in Turkish lira (TRY), but when transferred abroad, conversion and local bank fees may apply.

Interaction with Employment and Other Benefits

If the surviving spouse begins working in Turkey under a social security scheme or receives another pension, the survivor’s pension may be reduced or suspended, depending on the employment type. However, for foreign spouses residing abroad without Turkish employment registration, this usually does not affect the entitlement.

Application Assistance

Our law office assists foreign spouses of deceased Turkish citizens in:

  • Preparing and submitting applications to SGK,

  • Obtaining necessary apostilled documents,

  • Coordinating with Turkish consulates abroad, and

  • Ensuring proper calculation and payment of benefits.

We handle the full process remotely for clients residing outside Turkey, ensuring compliance with both Turkish and international procedural requirements.