Brazil Senate Passes Special Retirement Bill for Health Workers

The Federal Senate of Brazil approved a constitutional amendment that creates a special retirement regime for community health agents and agents fighting endemic diseases. The law sets a minimum retirement age of 57 for women and 60 for men, with an accelerated path for those who have contributed for 25 years, allowing retirement at 50 for women and 52 for men as early as 2030. The amendment also extends the benefits to indigenous health and sanitation agents and guarantees parity and full benefits for employees under municipal pension schemes.

The Ministry of Social Security estimates the measure will cost about R$27 billion in the first ten years—R$17.6 billion borne by municipal pension regimes and R$10.3 billion by the Union—with a projected actuarial impact of up to R$54 billion over 80 years. The federal government is considering a challenge in the Supreme Court, arguing the amendment creates mandatory spending without a clear financing source, potentially breaching fiscal responsibility rules.