The 2019 Social Security Reform established new rules on contributions to the National Social Security Institute (INSS). Until November of that year, monthly contributions below the minimum wage could be used to count service time or be applied in other ways. Since then, no contribution below the national minimum is counted toward retirement, minimum contribution period, or time of contribution, unless there is a complementation.
When a worker receives monthly remuneration below the minimum wage and contributes based on that amount, they may, on their own initiative, make the complementation so that the contribution is effective. This situation frequently occurs with intermittent workers, who work only a few days per month and, consequently, have income and contributions below the minimum.
The same scenario applies to young apprentices, who often receive lower salaries and make contributions on reduced amounts. Félix Cavalli, coordinator of the Social Security Education Program (PEP) at INSS, highlights that these groups are the most affected by the change in rules, and may have their time of contribution and right to benefits compromised if they do not make the complementation.
