In 2025, the minimum retirement age undergoes some changes. The changes anticipated in the social security system are the result of a gradual implementation process of the Pension Reform, approved in 2019, which is expected to extend until 2031.
On this January 24th, Social Security Day, we bring lawyer Jefferson Maleski from the firm Celso Cândido de Souza Advogados to clarify the main impacts of these changes. “The transition rules aim to soften the impact of the new rules for those who were already under the retirement regime of the previous rules but had not yet met the necessary requirements for retirement,” explains the lawyer.
According to him, there are two important changes for 2025:
- The Rule of Transition by Punctuation:
This rule applies to those who need to reach a minimum score by adding age and contribution time. In 2025, women will need to achieve 92 points to retire, while men will need to reach 102 points. For women, the minimum required contribution time is 30 years, and for men, 35 years.
“The scoring is progressive, which means that each year, the number of points required to retire will increase. For example, in three years, men will need 105 points, and women will need 95 points, but they will increase to 100 points when they reach the final requirements of the reform, defined by Constitutional Amendment 103,” says Maleski.
- The Rule of Progressive Minimum Age:
Another important change involves the minimum retirement age, which will continue to be progressive in 2025. For women, the minimum age will be 59 years, while for men it will be 64 years. This age requirement will be adjusted annually, with an increase of six months per year. For example, in 2026, women will need to be 59 and a half years, and men 64 and a half years.
“Furthermore, it is important to note that, for both rules, the contribution time must also be respected: 30 years for women and 35 years for men,” comments the lawyer.
How can the population prevent and plan for retirement?
Maleski's main recommendation is that workers who are nearing retirement continue to contribute to the INSS, especially those who have not yet met the requirements but are close to doing so. For those who have lost their jobs, it is essential to maintain the contribution independently, using the INSS payment books, ensuring that the contribution time continues to be counted.
Maleski also warns of the risk of incorrect or outdated information found on the internet. “Often, online guidelines may be outdated or misinterpreted. Therefore, the suggestion is that the population seek information directly from the official channels of INSS, such as telephone 135, the app Meu INSS, or the website Meu INSS,” he says.
If there are discrepancies in the data of the National Register of Social Information (CNIS) or if the information from INSS does not match what the worker believes to be their contribution time, a social security lawyer can be consulted for appropriate social security planning, clarifying the best options to ensure retirement.
Maleski highlights that, although the changes are significant, the pension system in Brazil still offers retirement possibilities for different profiles of workers. The important thing is to be well informed and to plan properly to ensure that the new rules do not harm those who are already close to retiring.
