Turkish Social Security Institution cancels pensions connected to fraud

Türkiye’s Social Security Institution (SGK) has started scrutinizing orphan pensions, discovering that some of the payments were issued improperly. As a result, the institution has begun a cancellation procedure.

Recently, there has been a notable increase in the number of divorced couples applying for orphan pensions. Following media reports, the SGK initiated a detailed investigation into individuals receiving orphan pensions unjustly. Each pension payment was thoroughly examined, and some were found to be fraudulent.

SGK takes action against fraudulent orphan pension recipients

It was discovered that many couples had divorced solely to receive the orphan pension, but continued to live together after the official divorce.

The SGK identified these individuals one by one and decided to cancel their pensions. Legal action has also been initiated against those involved, on the grounds of defrauding the SGK.

Divorces solely for orphan pension benefits

The timing of these fraudulent divorces has raised significant concern. Many individuals applied for orphan pensions immediately after their divorce. Investigations launched under the suspicion that these individuals were only seeking the pension revealed the truth.

The SGK is continuing its in-depth research to determine whether these divorces were legitimate or if they were solely for the purpose of receiving the pension. The institution is also evaluating tips and reports from the public, and once it confirmed that some divorces were indeed solely for the pension, retroactive debt assessments have begun for these individuals.