What Is 4A, 4B, 4C Insurance?

For everyone entering working life, the type of insurance they are subject to directly affects many rights, from retirement to access to healthcare services. In Türkiye, the social security system is organized under three main categories according to employees’ status: 4A, 4B, and 4C insurance. So what is 4A insurance, who does 4B insurance cover, which employees are subject to 4C insurance, and how can SGK service records be queried? In this article on Papel Blog, we examine in detail the differences between 4A, 4, B, and 4C insurance types, who they cover, the rights provided by social security insurance, and the steps for insurance inquiries via e-Devlet.

What is 4A insurance?

One of the insurance types in Türkiye’s social security system, 4A insurance, is the insurance status that includes individuals who work for an employer under an employment contract. This insurance is carried out under the umbrella of the Social Security Institution (SGK), and premiums are paid to SGK with contributions from both the employee and the employer. 4A insurance provides employees with social security rights such as healthcare services, retirement, work accidents, and occupational diseases.

For employees covered by 4A insurance, the retirement process may progress in different ways. To learn more about alternative retirement types, you can read our articles titled “What Are the Conditions for Disability Retirement?” and “What Is Partial Retirement?”

What is 4B insurance?

4B insurance is an insurance type that includes individuals who work independently on their own behalf or are self-employed. Replacing the former Bağ-Kur system, this insurance requires the insured person to pay premiums on their own behalf. Covering the social security of people who own their own businesses, such as tradespeople, company partners, and self-employed professionals, 4B insurance provides rights such as healthcare, retirement, disability, and death benefits. Unlike 4A insurance, in 4B insurance, the obligation to pay premiums belongs directly to the insured person.

What is 4C insurance?

4C insurance, which includes civil servants and similar personnel working in government or public institutions and organizations, covers the social security rights of public officials and is defined under the SGK system. Within this insurance, civil servants’ healthcare services, retirement, and other social security rights are secured. In 4C insurance, which is regulated according to the employment status of public personnel, premiums are paid on behalf of the insured by the employer.

What is an SGK service record?

An SGK service record is the official document that shows the employment and premium history of insured individuals, issued by the Social Security Institution (SGK) in Türkiye. This document, which can be queried separately according to different insurance types such as 4A, 4, and 4C, shows in detail the periods during which a person worked as an insured individual, the number of premium days paid, the monthly distribution of premiums, service start and end dates, and the relevant insurance branch.

Who do 4A, 4Band, and 4C insurance types cover?

In Türkiye, 4A, 4B, and 4C insurance types are the three main insurance coverages defined by the Social Security Institution (SGK) according to individuals’ working methods and employment status. Each insurance type is structured to cover different working relationships and occupational groups. Through this coverage, insured individuals benefit from social security rights such as healthcare, retirement, and work accident protection.

Who does 4A insurance cover?

4A insurance covers everyone who works for an employer on a salaried basis. This includes employees working under contract in the private sector, individuals working full-time, part-time, or in temporary jobs, contracted personnel working in public institutions, and some public officials. As the most common insurance type, 4A insurance premiums are reported to SGK by the employer, and the premiums are paid jointly by the employee and the employer.

Who does 4B insurance cover?

4B insurance covers independent individuals who own their own businesses. Tradespeople and artisans, self-employed professionals such as lawyers, doctors, rs and accountants, independent farmers engaged in agriculture, company partners, and independent professionals are subject to this insurance type. The premiums for this insurance are paid by the insured person themselves.

Who does 4C insurance cover?

4C insurance generally includes civil servants, personnel working permanently or temporarily in public institutions, and employees holding certain administrative and public positions. The premiums for this insurance are paid by the public employer.

Rights and advantages provided by social security insurance

Social security insurance is a system of rights and protection administered by SGK in Türkiye. Aiming to protect individuals’ economic and social security, these insurances provide insured individuals with various rights and advantages against possible risks during and after working life. All insured persons can benefit from examination, treatment,t and medication services at state hospitals and healthcare institutions contracted with SGK; this coverage applies not only to the insured individual but also, under certain conditions, to family members. In addition, insured individuals who meet the required premium day and age conditions are entitled to receive a retirement pension; this right applies both to old age and to cases of loss of working capacity. Individuals who lose a significant portion of their working capacity may benefit from long-term insurance benefits such as disability pensions. In the event of a work accident or occupational disease, the insured person’s treatment costs are covered, and, depending on the nature of the situation, social benefits such as temporary incapacity allowance, permanent incapacity income, or death benefit are provided. In the event of the insured person’s death, rights such as a survivor’s pension or funeral allowance are granted to their spouse, children, and other dependents. Additionally, in cases such as illness and maternity, short-term insurance branches come into effect, providing temporary incapacity allowance and short-term income support. All these rights and advantages apply to insured individuals registered under 4A, 4B, and 4C insurance types and constitute the fundamental guarantees of the social security system.

How to make an insurance inquiry via e-Devlet?

SGK insurance information can be queried online via e-Devlet (Turkey’s official e-Government Portal), Türkiye’s public digital service platform. The steps for making an insurance inquiry via e-Devlet are as follows:

Log in to the e-Devlet Gateway (Turkey’s official e-Government Portal – www.turkiye.gov.tr) using your Turkish ID number and your e-Devlet password.

Type “SGK Registration and Service Record” into the search box at the top and click on the relevant result.

Among the results, you can view your insurance history by selecting the appropriate option, such as 4A service record, 4B service information, or 4C insurance registration information.

After the document is displayed, it can be downloaded as a PDF or saved as a barcode-verified official document. In addition, insurance start and end dates, number of premium payment days, premium history, and General Health Insurance (GSS) and premium debt inquiries can also be accessed via e-Devlet. In this way, insurance records can be accessed quickly and securely without visiting any SGK branch.

 

Sources: 1, 2, 3.   

 

This blog post contains general information, not legal, financial, or investment advice. The content is prepared for informational purposes only, and you are advised to seek professional advice for your specific circumstances. The expressions in this article do not carry any binding nature or responsibility and reflect only the author’s evaluation. All your decisions are your responsibility, and Papel Electronic Money and Payment Services Inc. accepts no liability for any consequences arising from them.