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WHAT IS THE SOCIAL SECURITY OCCUPATION CODE? HOW TO CHECK IT?

What is the SSI Occupation Code?

The Social Security Institution (SSI) has determined specific occupation codes for each occupational group. These codes, which are usually six digits, ensure that occupations are defined in a standardized manner and distinguished from one another. In employment entry and monthly notifications submitted to the SSI for their employees, employers use the relevant occupation code to record the actual work performed by the employee into official records. Thus, it becomes clear at the legislative level which occupational group the employee belongs to.

As of 01.01.2018, the practice of reporting the occupation code appropriate for the work actually performed to the SSI has come into effect. With the amendment to article 102/1-n of the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 and within the scope of the General Communiqué on Withholding and Premium Service Declaration No. 1; it is mandatory to include the occupation name and occupation code appropriate for the work actually performed by the insured at the workplace in the withholding and premium service declaration.

Pursuant to Article 4/4 of the relevant Communiqué, not only the occupation name and code but also information such as the tax bases of the withheld taxes, the insured's total insurance premiums, and the number of premium payment days must be reported electronically to the tax office along with the declaration.

SSI occupation codes are the adaptation of the ISCO-08 (International Standard Classification of Occupations) system, developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), to Turkey. In practice, six-digit code lists created and updated by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) and the General Directorate of the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) are utilized. These code lists may be periodically updated by İŞKUR due to reasons such as changes in the labor market and the emergence of new occupations.

Every occupation has its own unique code in SSI records. Therefore, selecting the correct code in employment entry declarations is of critical importance. In cases such as a change in the employee's duty, an update of their title, or a promotion, the occupation code must be updated in accordance with the current duty; otherwise, consequences such as misclassification, errors in incentive/premium applications, and administrative sanctions may occur.

What Purpose Does the SSI Occupation Code Serve?

The Social Security Institution (SSI) uses official occupation codes to track employee information more effectively, classify occupations systematically, and rely on up-to-date and accurate data in audit/incentive processes. The occupation code helps ensure that the notification made by the employer is compatible with the work actually performed by the employee and yields important results for both the employee and the employer.

The main functions of the SSI occupation code are as follows:

• Identification and classification: Today, there are many types of occupations, and each occupation can be divided into different sub-groups within itself. Especially in workplaces with a high number of active employees, occupations must be coded within a certain classification system to prevent confusion in official records. Occupation codes define, standardize, and make it easier to distinguish each occupation.
• Prevention of unregistered employment: Thanks to the occupation code practice, employees are classified and registered into official records according to the work they perform. The detection of underreporting of wages (unregistered employment within formal employment) becomes easier. In this way, while the rights of employees and employers are protected, the social security system also operates more effectively.
• Ease of proof in legal disputes: Correctly reported occupation codes constitute an important reference in legal processes for both the employer and the insured. Since the records are kept by the SSI, they are accepted as valid and accurate until proven otherwise.
• Contribution to determining salary and employee benefits: One of the important purposes of the occupation code is to pave the way for the correct evaluation of the salary and related rights appropriate to the employee's duty. Since in practice a different code from the work actually performed by the employee is sometimes selected to show a lower wage, correct coding helps in the accurate determination of the wage and certain personal elements (staff/position, actual service period increment, etc.).
• Indirect effect on retirement calculations: Earnings subject to premium and premium rates can affect the retirement age and the amount of the pension to be linked. Incorrect reporting of the occupation code can cause results such as wrong application of premiums/incentives, thereby increasing the risk of loss of rights in retirement.
• Determination of the premium rate: Occupations are classified according to the risk status of the job. Since occupational accident and occupational disease premium rates can be higher in risky occupations, the occupation code is an important criterion in determining the premium rate.
• Protection of public revenue: Although underreporting wages may seem to be in favor of the employer in the short term, it creates a negative impact on the revenue obtained by the SSI. With the correct occupation code and correct wage reporting, it is ensured that premiums are calculated in accordance with reality.
• Statistical analysis and policy development: Occupation codes enable the production of statistics in areas such as employment level by sector, unemployment rate, and occupational distribution. Institutions like İŞKUR and TÜİK can make labor policies and vocational training planning more soundly with this data.
• Benefiting from incentives and support: In incentives and supports determined by public institutions and organizations on an occupational basis, the identification of beneficiaries is often made through the occupation code. Therefore, if the code is incorrect, it may cause risks of not being able to benefit from the incentive or inappropriate utilization.

SSI Occupation Codes List

SSI occupation codes are unique codes arranged individually for each occupation. These codes ensure that occupations are defined in a standardized manner, distinguished without confusion in official records, and notifications are made correctly. Below are example codes belonging to some occupation types.

Occupation codes are determined in a very comprehensive list covering different occupational groups and sub-specialties. For this reason, it is important that the occupation code is reported in accordance with the actual work performed and updated if necessary, not only for those who start working as insured for the first time, but also in cases such as change of workplace, change of job description/position, or promotion.

Accurately determining the occupation of the employee and following the updated lists containing the codes helps prevent loss of rights and potential administrative sanctions that may arise from incorrect/missing declarations.

How to Query SGK Occupation Codes?

The SGK occupation code inquiry process can be performed by the employer during the hiring process, as well as by the employee for control purposes after starting work. In this way, whether the reported occupation code is suitable for the actual duty is detected at an early stage, and an update can be requested from the employer if necessary.

• SGK Occupation Code Inquiry for Employers

Employers are obliged to accurately report the occupation code of the employees to SGK in the employment declaration. In addition, in cases such as changes in duty, cadre, title, or promotion, the occupation code appropriate for the work actually performed by the employee must be re-determined and updated if necessary. Therefore, it is important for employers to query the occupation code from official sources and create records accordingly, especially before issuing the employment declaration.

Employers can benefit from the following sources and methods when querying the SGK occupation code:

• İŞKUR Turkish Occupations Dictionary: The relevant code can be accessed by searching by occupation name through the Turkish Occupations Dictionary section on the official website of İŞKUR.
• TÜRMOB occupation codes table: The occupation name–code match can be checked through the current tables published by the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TÜRMOB).
• e-SGK / e-Bildirge procedures: Viewing and (within the scope of authorization) updating the occupation code can be done through e-SGK applications. For this, the employer must log into the e-Bildirge system. Through the system, employees' premium and service records can be examined, and the reported occupation code can be checked; if an error is detected, the relevant procedures can be initiated.

• SGK Occupation Code Inquiry for Employees

Employees can query the occupation codes reported to SGK using several different methods. In practice, the most practical and fastest way is to check via e-Devlet (e-Government).

You can follow these steps to query the SGK occupation code via e-Devlet:

1. Log in to the e-Devlet website or mobile application with your T.R. Identity Number and password (or other login methods).
2. Type “SGK Tescil ve Hizmet Dökümü/İşyeri Ünvan Listesi” in the search field and open the relevant service.
3. Check the column containing the occupation code information in the insurance registration and service record table on the screen that opens.

Alternatively, you can obtain information from the human resources department of the institution you work for or directly contact the SGK (Social Security Center). In this way, you can check whether your occupation code is compatible with your actual duty; if there is an error, you can request a correction/update from your employer.

How to Change SGK Occupation Code?

The SGK occupation code may occasionally be entered incorrectly by employers. In addition, in cases such as a change in the employee's job description, a promotion/title upgrade, or transitioning to a different position, the occupation code must be updated in accordance with the work actually performed. Therefore, during the change process, determining the most appropriate occupation code for the nature of the work performed by the employee is of critical importance.

The occupation code change is generally performed with the following steps:

• Log in to the Sigortalı İşe Giriş ve İşten Ayrılış Bildirgesi application.
• Click on the “İşe Giriş Bildirgesi Güncelleme” section on the main page.
• Query with the insured's T.R. Identity Number and select the employment declaration to be updated.
• The appropriate occupation code is selected, and the update process is completed through the system.

As a rule, the updated occupation code has a prospective effect. In other words, the current code will be included in the Withholding Tax and Premium Service Declarations to be submitted after the update.

Well, is it possible to change the SGK occupation code retroactively? Yes, it is possible. For retroactive corrections, an application must be made with a written petition to the relevant Social Security Directorate. The occupation code change process can only be done by the employer.

SGK Occupation Code Change Petition

To make a retroactive occupation code correction, an application is made with a written petition to the Social Security Center (SGM) to which the workplace is affiliated, requesting an update. The petition must clearly state the workplace information, the identity and registration information of the insured, the incorrectly reported occupation code, the correct occupation code, and the justification for the correction request. If available, attaching additional documents showing the duty/title (job description, letter/decision, employment contract, etc.) to the petition can help the process yield results faster.

Below is a sample petition text:

In summary;

• SGK occupational code is a special numerical code that indicates the actual work performed by the employee and is submitted to SGK in job entry declarations and notifications; choosing it correctly is critical for premium/incentive and audit processes.
• The occupational code can be checked in the employment history record via e-Devlet; employers can verify it through the İŞKUR Turkish Dictionary of Occupations, TÜRMOB tables, and e-SGK/e-Bildirge.
• If the code is incorrect, the employer updates it through the system; for retroactive correction, it is necessary to apply to the relevant SGK/Social Security Center with a petition.

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