I've been working for Turkish companies in Turkey for the last 17 years and so paying into the Turkish system since 1999.

I'm about to return to the UK with only a few years short of qualifying for a Turkish pension... does anyone have any information on how the reciprocal agreement between Turkey and the UK works and am I able to make voluntary contributions into the Turkish system to make up these last few years - if so how?

Have you contacted the Contributions Section (International) at Longbenton ?

Wouldn't it be easier to ask your company's HR department about the Turkish pension system? They could, at least, give you details as to where to contact with regard voluntary contributions.

scot47: I have contacted the contributions section in the UK. They said I'd need to speak to the Turkish authorities about voluntary contributions into the Turkish system...

SanDiegogirl: I'm the only foreigner who works at this Turkish company (and it's not a small company.. probably one of the largest ones in Turkey in terms of assets) and they have enough trouble getting themselves sorted to get my work permit set up... asking them questions about leaving my job and paying voluntary SSK contributions from the UK would be a futile effort and also risky at the juncture from an employment perspective...

page 336 here gives some ideas though if anyone else wonders across this thread: