The Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS) is set to release payments for the long-awaited review of benefits for approximately 140,000 individuals who received social security payments between 2002 and 2009. This review aims to correct significant errors in calculating retirement, disability, sickness benefits, and death pensions, potentially impacting the financial health of many beneficiaries across Brazil.
Scheduled for completion by March 31, 2025, the intricate review process will correct mistakes made during the calculation of these benefits. Specifically, the INSS inaccurately relied on 100% of contribution salaries rather than the 80% stipulated under article 29 of Law 8.213/91. This calculation error meant that many beneficiaries received less than they were entitled to, resulting in claims for approximately R$ 750 million.
According to reports, this measure is part of an agreement between the Sindicato Nacional dos Aposentados, Pensionistas e Idosos (Sindnapi) and the Previdência Social, and it encompasses both active and inactive beneficiaries. Of the total affected, about 42,000 individuals currently receive their payments actively, while the remainder are former beneficiaries.
"The correction is known as the 'review of article 29,' which is part of Law 8.213/91, where the calculation of benefits for incapacity should have been done with the average of the 80% highest contributions of the insured," highlights various reports, emphasizing why this review is crucial for rectifying past errors.
The financial adjustments are expected to produce two types of payouts. For active beneficiaries, payments will be processed until May 31, 2025. These individuals may see an increase in their ongoing benefits and will also receive additional compensatory payments for any delays in their calculated entitlements.
On the other hand, beneficiaries with suspended or previously terminated benefits will receive a single alternative payment by December 31, 2025. This payment serves to compensate for prior errors, allowing for a more equitable adjustment of their benefits.
The review only applies to cases that have been historically documented and identified within the scope of existing legal processes. Therefore, eligible individuals who believe they are entitled to a review should remain vigilant and regularly check the INSS system.
To determine if one qualifies for the review, beneficiaries can access the INSS portal or the 'Meu INSS' application. By entering their identification details, users can easily navigate to the 'revisão' section, where updates regarding their eligibility and benefit adjustments are available.
During the consultation, users are prompted to enter the search term 'revisão,' which leads them to a history of benefit payments and any credits pending. This ease of access encourages beneficiaries to stay informed of their rights and any developments that may affect their payments.
Despite the clarity of the process, it is vital that recipients remain cautious regarding potential scams. INSS officials warn that they will never contact beneficiaries by email or phone regarding new payments or adjustments, thus urging individuals to only rely on official channels for information.
With the culmination of this review process, many beneficiaries are hopeful. The initiative not only aims to restore fairness in the calculation of benefits but also signals the INSS's commitment to rectifying past errors that have long affected vulnerable populations in Brazil.
In conclusion, the INSS's upcoming review of social security benefits marks a significant step in addressing historical injustices in benefit calculations. This corrective measure is set to impact individuals who have, for years, lacked the financial support they were entitled to. Therefore, beneficiaries are encouraged to act swiftly and remain engaged with their INSS accounts to ensure they receive the corrections due to them.
