On April 23, 2025, the Polícia Federal (PF) and the Controladoria-Geral da União (CGU) launched a significant operation named Operação Sem Desconto to combat a national scheme involving unauthorized association discounts on retirement and pension benefits. The operation has revealed alarming irregularities, with investigations estimating that approximately R$ 6.3 billion has been deducted from retirees and pensioners between 2019 and 2024.
The operation led to the removal of Alessandro Stefanutto, the president of the Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS), along with five other public servants, who were dismissed as part of the investigation. The PF reported that these deductions were made without proper authorization from the beneficiaries, violating regulations that require explicit consent for any deductions from social security benefits.
In a coordinated effort, around 700 federal police officers and 80 CGU employees executed 211 judicial warrants across the Federal District and 13 states, including Alagoas, Amazonas, Ceará, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, and Sergipe. The operation also involved asset seizures worth over R$ 1 billion and six temporary arrest warrants.
According to the PF, the investigation uncovered that various entities, including associations and unions representing retirees and pensioners, had improperly applied fees to benefits without the necessary authorization. The deductions, described as "association fees," were charged directly to the benefits of retirees, leading to significant financial losses.
In a statement, the PF emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that the entities involved had charged retirees and pensioners an estimated total of R$ 6.3 billion over the five-year period. The investigation has revealed a complex web of corruption, with potential charges including active and passive corruption, violation of functional secrecy, document forgery, criminal organization, and money laundering.
The operation is considered one of the most significant and sensitive actions undertaken by the PF, reflecting the government's commitment to addressing corruption within social security systems. The director-general of the PF, Andrei Rodrigues, and the minister of the CGU, Vinícius Carvalho, personally briefed President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva about the operation during a meeting at the Palácio da Alvorada.
In light of these developments, retirees and pensioners who believe they have been affected by unauthorized deductions can request the removal of these charges through the Meu INSS app or website. This service can also be accessed through the Central 135 or directly with the associational entities involved.
As the investigation unfolds, it raises pressing questions about the oversight of social security benefits and the mechanisms in place to protect vulnerable populations from fraud. The significant financial impact on retirees, many of whom rely heavily on their pensions, underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent such abuses in the future.
With the removal of key figures within the INSS, including not only Stefanutto but also other high-ranking officials, the operation has sent a clear message regarding the government's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. The public's trust in social security systems is crucial, and actions like Operação Sem Desconto are essential to restore confidence and ensure that benefits reach those who rightfully deserve them.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have indicated that more arrests and further developments are likely as they continue to unravel the extent of the fraudulent activities. The PF and CGU remain committed to pursuing justice and holding accountable those who exploit the system for personal gain.
