Brazil faces rising debt as 20% of delinquent borrowers are seniors

A recent Serasa Experian survey shows that 83.7 million Brazilians are delinquent on loans, of which about 16.7 million (20%) are seniors. The Confederação Nacional do Comércio de Bens, Serviços e Turismo (CNC) reports that roughly 80% of Brazilian families are living with some form of debt, highlighting a broad financial strain across the population.

The growing indebtedness among the elderly is illustrated by personal accounts of retirees who rely on high‑cost consignado loans to cover basic expenses and medical care for dependents. At the same time, insurers such as Korsa Seguros are urging families to reassess their insurance policies, recommending adjustments to coverage and cost rather than outright cancellations. Julio Tenreiro, director at Korsa Riscos & Seguros, stresses the importance of maintaining protection for assets that generate household income, especially during periods of financial pressure.