Social security

This page explains the social security affairs of Turkish citizens living in the USA in terms of consulates and SGK: documents required for overseas service credit, periods spent as a homemaker, obtaining a pension after service credit, General Health Insurance (GSS) debt, consular documents requested by SGK, and procedures for those receiving a pension from Türkiye abroad. The general relationship between Türkiye and the USA and detailed 2026 service-credit amounts are explained on the 17.4 Türkiye–USA social security relationship page.

• There is no social security agreement between Türkiye and the USA. Periods in the two countries are not combined.
• The way to have periods spent in the USA counted in Türkiye is overseas service credit under Law No. 3201. Turkish citizens, dual citizens, and Mavi Kart holders may obtain service credit.
  • Dual citizens may obtain credit for all periods spent abroad.
  • Mavi Kart holders may obtain credit only for periods spent as Turkish citizens.
  • Periods before acquiring Turkish citizenship cannot be credited.
• The cost of one day in 2026 (applications from January 1 to December 31, 2026): TRY 495.45 at the lower limit and TRY 4,459.05 at the upper limit. The debt must be paid within 3 months of notification. See 17.4 for calculation and application steps.
• The permanent return requirement is not required when applying for service credit. You may obtain credit while continuing to work in the USA. This requirement applies only when a pension is granted.
• For receiving a US Social Security Administration (SSA) pension in Türkiye, see 17.5.

• For periods spent in countries without an agreement, such as the USA, SGK requests a service certificate obtained from a Turkish mission or the Labour and Social Security Counsellor's Office.
• Who should you contact?
  • The New York Consulate General states that pension, service certificate, and social assistance status certificate procedures are handled by the Labour and Social Security Counsellor's Office in Washington (vasington@csgb.gov.tr, +1 212 601 2876).
  • The Boston and Los Angeles consulates general accept service certificate applications through their notary sections. Boston's 2026 fee is $18.70; see 17.4 for documents and steps.
• The basis of the service certificate is your SSA records: the "Social Security Statement" and "Benefit Verification Letter" obtained from your my Social Security account.
• Certificate showing that you do not receive social assistance:
  • SGK may ask you to document that you do not receive social assistance in the USA.
  • According to Los Angeles, first obtain Form SSA-2458 (Report of Confidential Social Security Benefit Information) from the nearest SSA office. The form must bear an authorized signature or office stamp and must not be older than 30 days.
  • Apply to the Consulate General with this form; the fee is $18.70.
  • Los Angeles issues this certificate only for forms obtained from states within its jurisdiction.
• SSA contact: +1 800 772 1213

• Periods women spent abroad as a homemaker may be credited. SGK requires a certificate of residence showing that you lived abroad and entry-exit records.
• The certificate of residence (pension) is obtained from the consulate. According to the 2026 Los Angeles notice, the required documents are:
  • certificate of residence form
  • 2 photocopies of the Turkish identity card or national identity card
  • 2 photocopies of the processed pages of all Turkish and US passports used since your first entry into the USA, including visa and entry stamps
  • 2 photocopies of all visas and residence permits held since your first lawful entry into the USA
  • a photocopy of your US citizenship certificate or green card, if applicable
  • proof of address (driver's license, bill, lease)
• The fee is $18.70. For applications by mail, send a money order payable to "Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles." If applying from Türkiye, Los Angeles requests $19 in cash instead of a money order and a prepaid return label obtained from a courier company.
• Photocopies must be full-page, single-sided, and legible. Send the documents in 2 sets without stapling them.

• Requirements:
  • having permanently returned to Türkiye
  • having paid the portion of the debt sufficient for a pension to be granted
  • being entitled to a pension under Turkish legislation
  • submitting a written application to SGK
• What does "permanent return" mean? It does not mean moving to Türkiye or never seeing the USA again. It means ending your work in the USA and not receiving residence-based social insurance or social assistance benefits from the USA. You may travel abroad after your pension is granted.
• Your spouse receiving residence-based social assistance also violates the permanent return requirement.
• Application documents:
  • "Income/Pension/Allowance Request Form"
  • "Declaration and Undertaking Form for Persons Requesting a Pension under Law No. 3201"
  • if you live abroad, an up-to-date service certificate issued within the 3 months before the application
  • the forms are available on SGK's website and at its offices
• You do not need to visit SGK in person. You may send the documents by mail from Türkiye or abroad.
• Turkish citizenship is not required when applying for or receiving a pension. Exception: the pension of a person granted a pension under the Civil Servants Retirement Fund Law No. 5434 through service credit is terminated if they acquire the citizenship of a country without a social security agreement. There is no agreement with the USA.
• When is a pension terminated?
  • if you start working subject to the legislation of a foreign country
  • if you start receiving residence-based social insurance or social assistance benefits
  • if you start insured employment in Türkiye, subject to the provisions on social security support contributions
• Sending the pension to the USA: upon your written request, your pension may be transferred to your foreign bank account. Since the USA is a country without an agreement, you must pay the transfer costs.

• Since January 1, 2012, citizens residing in Türkiye who have no right to health benefits in another country have been automatically registered with SGK as GSS participants who pay their own premiums.
• Under SGK Circular No. 2019/17, people residing abroad and those entitled to health benefits in another country are not covered by GSS. The "other address" (secondary address) in your address records is not taken into account.
• To prevent debt from arising: transfer your residential address abroad through the population registry office or a consulate. You are exempt from compulsory GSS premiums from the date you declare the move. For address declarations, see 11.3.
• If you did not transfer your address and debt arose:
  • Submit a certified and translated health document obtained from an official institution in the USA or your private insurance company, or a "health insurance certificate" issued by the mission, to the Social Security Provincial Directorate or Social Security Center serving your residence in Türkiye. Registration is updated according to the dates on the document.
  • Consulates general also issue a certificate of residence showing the dates you lived abroad, for submission to SGK. The fee is $18.70 in New York and Los Angeles.
  • Los Angeles also requires an address declaration together with the certificate of residence.
• In New York, obtain an appointment from the notary section for "Certification of Copies of Turkish Documents" for a certificate of residence. In Los Angeles, obtain an appointment under "Certification of Documents Issued by Foreign Authorities."

• You may have your pension transferred to your US account upon written request; you must pay the transfer costs.
• Turkish missions do not issue certificates of life. This document is issued only by missions in Spain under the agreement between the two countries. You may obtain a civil registry record from the consulate.
• You may have a power of attorney prepared at the consulate so that a relative can handle your pension or salary matters in Türkiye. The sample power-of-attorney subjects on konsolosluk.gov.tr include "receiving a pension" and "retirement procedures." See 11.4.
• For circumstances that cause your pension to be terminated, such as starting work again in the USA or receiving residence-based assistance, see the list above.

• SGK General Directorate of Pension Services, Department of Overseas Agreements and Pensions — service credit and overseas pension matters
  • Address: Sağlık Mahallesi, Mithatpaşa Caddesi No: 7, 06420 Sıhhiye-Çankaya / Ankara
  • Telephone (Alo Yurt Danış Information Line): +90 312 444 32 01
  • Email: yurtdisi@sgk.gov.tr
  • Web: sgk.gov.tr
• Labour and Social Security Counsellor's Office (Washington) — service certificates, pensions, and social security questions
  • Email: vasington@csgb.gov.tr
  • Telephone: +1 212 601 2876
• Turkish consulates general — certificates of residence, social assistance certificates, and service certificates at some locations; see 11.1 for addresses
• Social Security Administration (SSA) — earnings record, Benefit Verification Letter, and Form SSA-2458
  • Telephone: +1 800 772 1213

• Accumulating GSS debt in Türkiye by failing to declare your address after moving to the USA.
• Assuming that the permanent return requirement means moving to Türkiye and postponing service credit. This requirement does not apply to service-credit applications.
• Submitting a service certificate more than 3 months old when applying for a pension.
• Taking an SSA-2458 form more than 30 days old to the consulate.
• Trying to obtain a pension from Türkiye while continuing to work in the USA.
• Asking the consulate for a "certificate of life."
• Waiting for an appointment at konsolosluk.gov.tr for a service certificate; in the New York region, this procedure is handled by the Counsellor's Office.

• Can I obtain service credit while working in the USA? Yes. The permanent return requirement applies to a pension application, not to service credit.
• I became a US citizen. Will my pension from Türkiye be terminated? Turkish citizenship is not required for pensions granted through service credit. However, if you receive a pension under the Civil Servants Retirement Fund Law No. 5434 and acquire the citizenship of a country without an agreement, such as the USA, your pension will be terminated. Ask SGK about your situation.
• Can my pension from Türkiye be paid into my US bank account? Yes, upon written request. You must pay the transfer costs.
• I have GSS debt in Türkiye. Can it be cancelled? Apply to the SGK provincial directorate with a certificate of residence or health insurance certificate showing the dates you lived abroad. Registration is updated according to these dates.
• Do my years spent as a homemaker in the USA count? You may obtain service credit. Obtain a certificate of residence (pension) from the consulate and apply to SGK.
• Does the consulate issue a certificate of life? No. You may obtain a civil registry record.

• SGK – Overseas service-credit procedures
• SGK – Forms and petitions, including the Income/Pension/Allowance Request Form
• SGK – Social security rights of citizens abroad and overseas service credit (book, PDF)
• SGK – Social security agreements and Law No. 3201 brochure, April 2026 (PDF)
• Los Angeles – Certificate of residence (GSS debt cancellation) 2026 (PDF)
• Los Angeles – Certificate of residence (pension) 2026 (PDF)
• Los Angeles – Certificate showing no receipt of social assistance 2026 (PDF)
• New York – Certificate of residence 2026 (PDF)
• Boston – Overseas service certificate 2026 (PDF)
• SSA POMS – Form SSA-2458