The Portuguese Social Security pensions of 678 emigrants residing in Luxembourg and Switzerland were suspended because they did not prove in time that they are alive, although the amounts will be paid as soon as the respective proof of life is carried out, according to official data.
As of July 31 last year, legislation came into force that obliges Portuguese citizens residing in Luxembourg and Switzerland, recipients of disability, old-age or survivors’ pensions granted by Portuguese Social Security, to carry out proof of life annually.
According to the rules in force, proof of life must be carried out by November 30th, with the National Pension Center still accepting declarations submitted after that date.
However, to avoid interruption of pension payments, the proof of life would have to be completed before the January pensions are processed, that is, by December 15, 2025.
Proof of life was not made until December 15th and the pension was suspended
In cases where proof of life was not provided by December 15, the pension was suspended, this happening to 294 pensions in Luxembourg and 384 in Switzerland, according to a source from the office of the Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security.
The same official data indicate that, of the total number of eligible pensioners, 90% took the life test, which the Government classifies as “a good result”.
“The cases in which pensioners are alive and their pension has been suspended result, with great probability, from a change of residence not communicated to or to the , which prevented notification”, continues the official clarification, requested by Lusa.
The Government guarantees that the payment of these now suspended pensions will be resumed as soon as these pensioners provide proof of life, with payments relating to the months of suspension being paid retroactively.
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