Over decades of work, errors or discrepancies may arise in the data recorded by Social Security. The contribution history statement is the Portuguese document most similar to the Spanish "informe de vida laboral" and shows the periods and remuneration registered under the beneficiary's name. The history can be consulted free of charge through the Social Security Portal, by accessing Work, then Earnings and contributions and, finally, Contribution history. Since July 2025, it is also possible to issue the contribution history statement in digital format, with a code that allows its authenticity to be confirmed.
The consultation allows users to verify registered periods and corresponding earnings, detecting missing months, amounts different from those actually received, or unregistered work periods. Anyone who finds errors can request a revision of their contribution history through the Social Security Portal and, from July 2026, also through the mobile application. The request must identify the incorrect periods or amounts, explain the situation and include supporting documents such as pay slips or contracts. This service is intended for people who are not yet pensioners and have not submitted a pension application.
Employers remain responsible for communicating worker and earnings data to Social Security. In 2026, two systems coexist due to the gradual introduction of the new Communication Service for Employment Links and Remunerations, created by Decree-Law No. 127/2025. In companies that still use the previous system, an error can be corrected in the following month's declaration, and from 1 January 2027, the new model becomes mandatory for all employers.
Registered periods and remuneration are used to confirm entitlement to benefits and to calculate the old-age pension value. A failure does not necessarily cause an automatic cut, but it can reduce the value considered in the calculation, make it difficult to prove years of contributions or delay the decision on retirement. Discovering the problem only when applying for a pension may require finding documentation related to jobs held several decades ago, which is why even those still far from retirement are advised to periodically check their contribution history.
