The rules for retirement by the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) should become stricter from January 1, 2026, with the entry into force of a new stage of transitions created by the 2019 Social Security reform.
The changes do not depend on a new vote in the National Congress or an initiative of the federal government, as they were provided for in Constitutional Amendment No. 103 and come into force automatically, gradually increasing the requirements for those who have not yet managed to retire.
In practice, the direct effect is to postpone retirement for thousands of workers. Those who have not fulfilled the conditions by the end of 2025 will have to work longer and meet higher criteria to access the benefit, that is to say that each year the reform delays the finish line a little, reducing the possibilities of early retirement and prolonging their stay in the labor market.
The main change in 2026 concerns the progressive minimum age rule. From this month, women must be at least 59 years and six months old, in addition to 30 years of INSS contributions.
For men, the requirement is 64 years and six months, with a minimum contribution period of 35 years.
The six-month increase follows the timetable defined in the reform and will continue until reaching the final ages: 62 for women and 65 for men.
Another rule widely used by policyholders, known as the points rule, also changes in 2026. In this model, retirement is granted when the sum of age and contribution duration reaches a certain level.
In 2026, it will be necessary to reach 93 points for women and 103 points for men, while always respecting the minimum contribution deadlines.
Understand what it was like and what the rules of retirement will be
As was the case in the points rule:
- Men: minimum contribution period of 35 years + 102 points;
- Women: minimum contribution period of 30 years + 92 points.
What it looks like since Thursday:
- Men: minimum contribution period of 35 years + 103 points;
- Women: minimum contribution period of 30 years + 93 points.
Increase of 1 point.
As was the case in the minimum age rule:
- Men: 35 years of contribution period + 64 years;
- Women: 30 years of contribution period + 59 years;
What it looks like since Thursday:
- Men: 35 years of contribution period + 64 years and 6 months;
- Women: 30 years of contribution period + 59 years and 6 months.
6 months of age increase.
Toll rules
The so-called toll rules, created for those who were about to retire when the reform came into force in 2019, remain unchanged. They require the worker to complete an additional contribution period before being entitled to the benefit.
Although they remain valid, these rules are aimed at an increasingly restricted group, since they only apply to those who have been very close to retirement for more than six years.
Even if access to retirement will become stricter, the calculation of the value of the benefit will not change in 2026. The average continues to be based on all contributions paid throughout working life, without excluding the lowest remuneration. On the basis of this average, a percentage is applied which increases according to the total contribution period, while respecting the INSS ceiling.
The impact of the changes is greater for workers who are at the edge of need and who plan to retire in the coming years.
It is for this reason that retirement experts emphasize that retirement planning is no longer optional and is becoming essential. It is recommended to review the history of contributions to the National Register of Social Information (Cnis), to identify possible gaps, to evaluate particular periods, such as unhealthy work, rural activity or military service, and to simulate different scenarios before requesting a pension.
Understanding pension reform
- Pension reform was approved in 2019, through Constitutional Amendment No. 103, with the aim of containing the growth of pension spending and balancing public accounts in the long term;
- The change ended retirement based solely on contributory time and began requiring a minimum age for most workers, set at 62 for women and 65 for men;
- The reform created transition rules for those already in the labor market, establishing progressive age, score and toll criteria until the final rules are adopted;
- The calculation of pensions was changed, the average began to take into account 100% of contributions paid throughout life, without excluding lower salaries, which reduced the value of many benefits.
Teachers
The rules for teachers have also been changed, but those in basic education will have the right to take early retirement.
The rules of the points system and the progressive minimum age follow the same standards as those of other workers, what changes, the difference is that in the calculation of teachers there is a reduction of five years to take into account the arduousness of the profession.
The minimum age transition rule for teachers requires 54 years and six months, plus 25 years of actual teaching for women, while men will need to be 59 years and six months, plus 30 years of effective teaching.
According to the points system, women will have to reach 88 points, with at least 25 years of education and 63 years. Men must achieve the target of 98 points, including 30 years of teaching and 68 years.
The transition rules should only stop increasing in 2033, when the annual changes planned in the Social Security reform will be stabilized.
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