Brazil’s pension reform ready

The text outlining the reform in Brazil’s pension system has been concluded by the government team and is pending consideration by President Jair Bolsonaro, who is still in São Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital. The information was reported by Special Secretary for Social Security and Labor Rogério Marinho, who met today (Feb. 12) with Economy Minister Paulo Guedes. The president, he said, will have the final say on the bill to be submitted to the lower house.

Marinho did not give further information on the piece, but said it has been perused by members of several government departments, with additions made by economists and special attention given to the bill submitted to Congress by former President Michel Temer.

Marinho said the final text “differs greatly” from the draft that was leaked to the press last week, in which the government is said to introduce a single minimum age for both men and women to retire. A minimum period of 20 years of contribution was to be set so workers could receive 60 percent of their retirement pension, gradually reaching the upper limit of 40 years for the total amount.

Asked when the bill will be disclosed to the public, Marinho said it would happen as quickly as possible. “We will wait until the president is in condition to serve his mandate, which I hope is tomorrow or Thursday, so he can set a deadline,” he declared.

The military

On the inclusion of the military within the pension system, Senator Major Olímpio, head of Bolsonaro’s Social Liberal Party (PSL), who also met with the economy minister, said even the military themselves have presented a proposal.

“Defense Minister [General Fernando Azevedo] has pored over the matter. The military are bringing forward proposals [to be studied] by the technical team, the economic staff. We’ll gauge the viability of these proposals,” he said.