Brazil's Caixa Bank pushes to lift 6.5% payroll cap on Saúde Caixa health plan

During a negotiation meeting on 8 April in São Paulo, the Executive Committee of Caixa employees (CEE/Caixa) presented data urging the removal of the 6.5 % payroll ceiling that limits the bank’s contribution to the Saúde Caixa health plan. The figures show that in 2025 the plan recorded R$ 4.294 billion in assisted‑care expenses, R$ 4.387 billion in total expenses and R$ 3.759 billion in revenue. Because the contribution is capped, Caixa’s share was R$ 2.063 billion, while users paid R$ 1.392 billion in premiums and R$ 303.5 million in co‑participation.

The CEE argues that rising medical inflation outpaces wage growth, forcing employees, retirees and pensioners to bear the shortfall. They demand the end of the cap, a return to a 70 %/30 % cost‑sharing model, and the preservation of the plan’s solidarity principles. The meeting also covered diversity issues such as rights for people with disabilities, gender equality and anti‑racism measures. A CEE representative said, “A Caixa só cumpre plenamente seu papel de banco público quando respeita seus empregados e negocia de verdade com a representação eleita pela categoria.”