Portugal Social Security rules for pension overpayments

When the Portuguese Social Security notifies individuals of pension overpayments, the official notification must be a 'Nota de Reposição'. This document is required to specify the exact amount owed, the specific period of overpayment including the number of days, the deadline for payment, and the timeframe for contesting the decision.

Recipients have ten business days from the receipt of the letter to disagree with the calculations in writing. This process allows for a prior hearing where individuals can submit supporting documentation, such as receipts or medical statements, to justify their position.

To avoid fraud, individuals are advised not to make payments based on SMS or unofficial messages, as Social Security does not request immediate payments via links. If an overpayment is not returned within the designated timeframe, Social Security may deduct the amount from future benefits, but these deductions are legally limited to a maximum of one-third of the monthly payments to ensure a protected minimum amount for the debtor.