Brazil promulgates special retirement rules for health agents

The Brazilian National Congress has promulgated Constitutional Amendment 140/2026, establishing special retirement rules for community health agents (ACS), endemic disease combat agents (ACE), indigenous health agents (AIS), and indigenous sanitation agents (Aisan).

Under the new rules, these professionals may retire five years earlier than the general social security standard. The minimum age is set at 57 for women and 60 for men, requiring 25 years of contribution and service in the role. Transition rules allow for retirement starting at age 50 for women and 52 for men until 2030.

The amendment also constitutionalizes the prohibition of temporary or outsourced hiring for these roles. The federal government estimates the impact of the benefit complementation at approximately R$ 3 billion per year.

In response to this legislative change, the municipality of Berizal in Minas Gerais has suspended its selection process for 10 community health agent positions to ensure compliance with the new constitutional amendment.