Brazil's INSS mandates biometric verification for new benefit applications

The National Institute of Social Security (INSS) in Brazil has made biometric identification mandatory for all new requests for retirement, disability, survivor and continuous cash benefit (BPC/Loas) applications. The rule took effect on 21 November 2025, extending the requirement that had already applied to the BPC/Loas since 1 September 2024. The government says the measure will curb fraud, improve data consistency and speed up benefit payments.

Current beneficiaries are not immediately forced to update their biometric data, but the institute warned that it may request updates in the future. Registrations can be made through the new National Identity Card (CIN), a driver’s licence, or an electoral card, with the CIN slated to become the standard reference by 2028.

In parallel, the INSS is running a series of nationwide “mutirão” attendance drives, offering more than 44 000 slots for social assessments and medical examinations across all regions. The campaign includes the launch of a new floating office, PREVBarco Belém II, to serve riverine communities in the North.

Together, these actions aim to modernize Brazil’s social security system, tighten security, and expand access to services for underserved populations.