Retirement for Those Who Never Contributed: Understand How It Works

Have you ever heard of retirement by age for those who have never contributed to the INSS (Brazilian Social Security Institute)? It seems impossible, but there is a way to guarantee this right even for those who have never worked with a formal employment contract or never paid into social security. We will explain in a simple and direct way how this works and what you need to do to guarantee your retirement.

What is retirement by age?

Retirement due to age is a benefit granted by the INSS (National Institute of Social Security) to people who reach a certain age and meet certain requirements. Normally, it is necessary to have contributed to the INSS for a minimum period. But what about those who have never contributed? Are they entitled to anything? The answer is yes ! There is a type of retirement called Rural Retirement due to Age or Urban Retirement due to Age without Contribution , which can be accessed by people who have never contributed but meet some specific conditions.

Who is entitled?

For those who have never contributed to the INSS (Brazilian Social Security Institute), the most common option is Rural Retirement by Age . See the requirements:

1. Minimum age :
   • Men: 60 years old.
   • Women: 55 years old.
2. Rural activity :
   • It is necessary to prove that you worked in a rural area, even informally, as a family farmer, artisanal fisherman, or in other rural activities.
3. Working hours :
   • It is not necessary to have contributed to the INSS (Brazilian Social Security Institute), but it is necessary to prove that you have worked in rural activities for a minimum period (usually 15 years).

And who lives in the city?

For those who have never contributed and live in urban areas, the situation is more complicated, but not impossible. There is the possibility of applying for the Continuous Benefit Payment (BPC) , which is government assistance paid to low-income seniors. The requirements for the BPC are:

1. To be 65 years of age or older.
2. Household income per person less than 1/4 of the minimum wage (in 2025, this means less than R$ 379.50 per person).

The BPC is not exactly a retirement pension, but it can be an alternative for those who have never contributed and need financial support in old age.

How to Apply for Rural Retirement Benefits?

If you meet the rural profile, see the step-by-step instructions to apply for your retirement:

1. Gather the documents :
   • Personal documents (ID card, CPF [Brazilian tax identification number], birth or marriage certificate).
   • Proof of rural work (contracts, union statements, sales invoices, etc.).
2. Schedule an appointment :
   • Call INSS at 135 or visit the website meu.inss.gov.br to schedule your medical examination.
3. Attend the medical examination :
   • On the scheduled day, bring all the necessary documents and be prepared to answer questions about your agricultural activity.
4. Please wait for the analysis :
   • The INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) will evaluate your request and, if approved, you will begin receiving the benefit.

Benefit Amount

For those who have never contributed to rural retirement benefits, the pension is equivalent to a minimum wage (R$ 1,518.00 in 2025). It may not seem like much, but it is essential help in ensuring a mo