Brazil Supreme Court to decide if low INSS contributions keep workers covered

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) will rule on whether workers who pay the Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS) less than the minimum wage can retain the status of insured contributor. The case stems from the 2019 pension reform, which requires contributions equal to or above the minimum for the period to count toward contribution time and eligibility for benefits such as sickness aid, maternity pay and death pensions. A pending decision (RE 1.544.748) has triggered a nationwide suspension of all lawsuits on the issue while the Court deliberates. Lawyers argue that the rule threatens intermittent and part‑time workers, while the INSS maintains it is essential for the system’s fiscal balance.

Other INSS-related updates include a guide for the 25 % disability pension increase, the schedule for the 13th‑salary payment to beneficiaries who start receiving benefits after the early 2026 advance, and new age‑and‑point requirements for retirement under the 2026 transition rules. These measures affect millions of Brazilian retirees and workers.