Brazil's INSS faces sweeping pension reforms and 2026 retirement rule changes

A series of studies by the Centro de Debate de Políticas Públicas (CDPP) and the Instituto Mobilidade e Desenvolvimento Social (IMDS) propose a new pension reform that could raise the minimum retirement age gradually up to 67 years, tie increases to life‑expectancy gains, raise the contribution rate for micro‑entrepreneurs (MEI), introduce a bonus for mothers, revise the minimum‑wage adjustment and end special‑category rules. The proposals also suggest adding a capital‑funded pillar to Brazil’s pay‑as‑you‑go system.

Effective from 2026, the transition rules of the 2019 pension reform will tighten. Women will need to be 59 years ½ with 30 years of contributions, and men 64 years ½ with 35 years. The points system will rise to 93 points for women and 103 for men. The Supreme Court has eliminated the minimum‑age requirement for special‑risk retirement, keeping only the required contribution time. Meanwhile, the INSS reported a 41 % drop in pending benefit requests between February and June 2026, thanks to faster document analysis and prioritisation. It also expanded the list of diseases that waive the 12‑month contribution “carência” for disability benefits, adding conditions such as acute stroke and acute surgical abdomen. Additional measures include a tax exemption of R$ 1,903.98 per month for retirees who turn 65 and the preservation of disability‑specific retirement rules.

Together, these changes affect millions of current and future beneficiaries of Brazil’s social security system.