Brazil Senate passes constitutional amendment for special retirement of health agents

On 14 July 2026 the Brazilian Senate approved, in two rounds (73 votes for, 1 against), a constitutional amendment (PEC 14/2021) that creates a differentiated retirement regime for community health agents (ACS) and agents of endemic disease control (ACE). The text sets the retirement age at 57 for women and 60 for men, provided the workers have at least 25 years of contribution and effective service, and includes transition rules that gradually raise the age threshold. It also extends the benefits to indigenous health and sanitation agents and formalises permanent and transitional hiring rules.

The amendment was labelled a “pauta‑bomba” by the government because ministries of Finance and Planning estimate an actuarial impact of R$ 27‑30 billion over the next ten years (about R$ 3 billion per year). Finance Minister Dario Durigan warned that, if the amendment does not specify a financing source, “Se não estiver apontando fonte de receita, descumprindo a jurisprudência do Supremo, é provável que o governo vá ao STF.” The government may therefore appeal to the Supreme Court to enforce the Fiscal Responsibility Law’s requirement for a revenue offset.

Senate government leader Teresa Leitão released the governing bloc to vote, abstaining herself, after acknowledging the fiscal implications. Discussions about removing parity and integrality benefits were raised, but the final text retained them. With the Senate’s approval, the amendment will be promulgated by Congress and does not require presidential sanction.