Changes in INSS retirement raise scores and minimum age for millions of workers

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Calendário de pagamento INSS 2026 Foto: Calendário de pagamento INSS 2026 - INSS

Brazilian workers planning retirement should be aware of the new requirements that come into force as part of the transition rules from Reforma to Previdência. The annual changes, established by Emenda Constitucional nº 103 of 2019, progressively adjust the criteria for granting benefits, directly impacting those who are still in the job market and are approaching the period for requesting paid rest. The main changes affect the minimum age and the points system, making pension planning an even more essential tool to guarantee the best possible benefit.

These adjustments are implemented gradually to allow policyholders to adapt to the new realities of the Brazilian pension system. The main objective of the changes is to guarantee the financial sustainability of Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS) in the long term, adapting the concessions to the population’s life expectancy and the country’s economic scenario. Portanto, understanding the new scores and ages is essential to avoid surprises and delays in claiming the benefit.

The transition modalities most affected by these updates are the progressive age rule and the points rule. Ambas will see an increase in their requirements, requiring workers to remain active for longer or reach a greater combination of age and length of service to become eligible for retirement.

What changes in the progressive age rule

The progressive age rule is one of the transition alternatives that establishes a gradual increase in the minimum retirement age, with an increase of six months each year. Essa measure was created to smooth the transition to the new definitive retirement ages, allowing a smoother adaptation for those who were already in the job market before the reform. Para the next period, policyholders will need to meet new age thresholds to request the benefit through this modality, which also requires a minimum contribution time.

Para For women, the minimum age requirement rises to 59 years, and it is necessary to prove at least 30 years of contributions to the INSS. For men, the requirement is now 64 years of age, with a minimum contribution period of 35 years. It is crucial that policyholders check their contribution history in the Cadastro Nacional of

The New Score for Retirement

Another important transition rule that has changed is the points system. Nesta modality, retirement is granted when the sum of the worker’s age and contribution time reaches a minimum score, which also increases by one point each year. Este system benefits those who started working earlier and have accumulated a long contribution period.

From now on, women will need to reach 92 points to be entitled to the benefit. Essa score is the result of the sum of your age and length of service, which cannot be less than 30 years. For example, a 62-year-old woman with 30 years of contributions would add the necessary 92 points.

For men, the score requirement rises to 102 points. The minimum contribution period for them remains set at 35 years. Assim, a 67-year-old man with 35 years of service would reach the goal. The calculation must be done accurately to avoid errors in the request.

Understand the 50% and 100% toll rules

The toll rules were created for policyholders who were very close to retiring when Reforma of Previdência was enacted in November 2019.

The 50% toll rule is aimed at those who had up to two years left to fulfill the minimum contribution period (30 years for women and 35 for men) on the date of the reform. Para To retire under this modality, the insured must work for the entire remaining period plus a toll corresponding to 50% of that time.

For example, if a woman needed another year of contribution in 2019, she will have to work for a year and a half (the remaining year plus six months of toll) to be able to retire, without the minimum age requirement, but with the impact of the social security factor in calculating the benefit.

The 100% toll rule is stricter. Ela exige que o trabalhador cumpra o dobro do tempo que faltava para se aposentar em 2019. Em contrapartida, essa regra garante o valor integral do benefício, calculado pela média de todos os salários de contribuição, sem a aplicação do fator previdenciário. Para this option requires a minimum age of 57 years for women and 60 years for men.

The importance of pension planning

Given the complexity and constant updates to retirement rules, pension planning has become an indispensable tool for workers. Realizar a detailed analysis of the entire contributory life, checking the data in the CNIS and identifying possible pending issues, is the first step to ensuring a smooth and hassle-free retirement process. Planning allows you to project future scenarios, compare the different transition rules and identify which one is the most advantageous for the profile of each insured person. Essa strategic analysis may result in a benefit with a significantly greater value or the possibility of retiring earlier. It is highly recommended to use the simulation tools available on the portal and in the Meu INSS application, which help to visualize the impact of the new rules in the individual case. Para more complex situations, such as multiple contracts, special activities or periods without registration, consulting a specialist in social security law can be decisive in making the best decision and ensuring all rights.

Digital channels facilitate access to services

INSS has continually invested in modernizing its service channels, with the portal and the Meu INSS application consolidating itself as the main gateways to social security services. Through these platforms, policyholders can carry out a wide range of procedures without leaving home, such as checking their contribution statements, simulating retirement, scheduling examinations and requesting benefits.

The digitalization of services aims not only to offer more convenience and security to citizens, but also to optimize the institute’s internal workflow, streamlining analyzes and concessions. The digital Prova of Vida, for example, is already a reality for many beneficiaries, eliminating the need to travel to a bank branch and preventing fraud.

How to check and simulate the benefit

Before making any request, it is essential that the insured person uses the retirement simulator available at Meu INSS. The tool cross-references CNIS data with current rules and presents retirement possibilities for the worker’s profile, including likely dates for each modality.

In addition to the simulation, detailed verification of the CNIS extract is a mandatory step. Qualquer inconsistência, como um vínculo empregatício não registrado ou uma data de saída incorreta, deve ser corrigida antes do pedido de aposentadoria para evitar atrasos ou a negação do benefício.

Luís Henrique Costa é jornalista formado pela FMU, editor-chefe e fundador do Mix Vale, portal de notícias em atividade desde 2013. Responde pela direção editorial do veículo, que cobre Brasil e mundo em economia, benefícios sociais, esportes, tecnologia, ciência e entretenimento. Atua na área há mais de 15 anos e lidera uma equipe de cerca de 15 colaboradores.