Brazil's INSS revises benefit rules for retirees, workers and disabled

The Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS) has issued several updates affecting millions of Brazilians. A new regulation exempts people aged 80 or older, as well as Brazilians living abroad, refugees and stateless persons, from mandatory biometric registration, without changing the amount or eligibility of their benefits.

Retirees are reassured that ordinary debts, including unpaid loans or credit‑card arrears, do not block the granting or payment of pensions, although certain debts may lead to bank account freezes or judicial liens. Workers injured on the job retain rights to accident‑related benefits, a 12‑month job stability period, and possible compensation. Medical certificates remain valid for justified absences, and employers must accept them when properly issued.

Specific groups receive tailored guidance: rural workers must prove at least 180 months of agricultural activity to qualify for age‑based retirement, while people with disabilities are evaluated on the functional impact of their condition rather than a fixed disease list. Additionally, the syndrome of carpal tunnel, when work‑related and resulting in permanent limitation, can qualify for the INSS “auxílio‑acidente” indemnity, as explained by lawyer Robson Gonçalves.