Military service debt emerges as a more critical topic in retirement calculations than commonly thought. Social security expert Nergis Şimşek explained that if military service performed before starting work is credited, the insurance start date is moved back by the length of the credited period.
According to Şimşek, military service debts made after October 2008 are both added to the total premium days and taken into account in the retirement pension calculation. Therefore, when making a debt payment, not only the amount to be paid but also its impact on retirement must be evaluated together.
Six Months of Debt May Be Enough for EYT Calculation
Şimşek evaluated an example of an insured person whose insurance start date is March 1, 2000, and who completed 240 days of military service between 1998 and 1999. She stated that to qualify for EYT, the start date must be moved before September 8, 1999, so 180 days of military service debt might be sufficient instead of 240 days.
According to this calculation, after six months of debt payment, the insurance start date could be moved to September 1, 1999, allowing entry into the EYT scope. Şimşek noted that under 4/a coverage, retirement conditions require 25 years of insurance and at least 5,975 premium days.
It was reported that the insured in the example currently has 4,656 premium days, which would increase to 4,836 with 180 days of military service debt. To reach the required 5,975 days for retirement, an additional 1,139 premium days must be paid.
Missing Days Can Be Completed with Voluntary Insurance
Şimşek said that insured individuals who cannot work can complete their missing days through voluntary insurance. However, she reminded that voluntary insurance services are evaluated under 4/b coverage and emphasized that to retire under 4/a status, the voluntary insurance period must be less than 1,260 days.
This distinction is decisive for those who want to cover the remaining premium deficit after debt payment because incorrect planning can change the expected retirement status.
How Is the Debt Amount Determined?
Şimşek stated that military service debt can be made based on a desired amount between the minimum and maximum earnings. She stressed the importance of considering the minimum and maximum earning rates for the years to which the service belongs when selecting the debt amount.
According to Şimşek, if the rates for the year in which the earnings are calculated are lower, this method allows paying less while gaining a higher monthly pension advantage. Therefore, the period and rate chosen for debt payment directly create a cost difference.
Different Rates for 1999 and 2000 May Offer Advantages
It was noted that of the 180 days of military service debt, 120 days correspond to the September-December 1999 period, and 60 days to January-February 2000. Şimşek reminded that as of January 1, 2026, the military service debt rate increased from 32% to 45%, and the daily maximum earning rose from 7.5 times to 9 times the minimum daily earning.
However, she said that the maximum earning rates for the years 1999 and 2000, to which the debt periods belong, differ. Şimşek stated that applying a rate of 1.61 times for the second half of 1999 and 3 times for the first half of 2000 would be more advantageous.
According to the calculation, if the 180-day military service debt is paid based on today's maximum earnings, the total payment reaches 802,629 TL. If the same period is credited considering the rates of the years to which the service belongs, the total amount is 184,901.40 TL, with 95,720.40 TL for 120 days in 1999 and 89,181 TL for 60 days in 2000.
Şimşek stated that both methods have the same effect on the retirement pension and emphasized that paying a higher debt amount for the same pension is unnecessary. This calculation shows that timing and rate selection in military service debt can significantly change retirement costs.
