Many Portuguese people reach legal retirement age without having paid into Social Security. The question is common: are those who have never contributed entitled to a pension? The answer is clear: without sufficient discounts there is no access to the contributory pension. However, there is an alternative designed for situations of economic need, guaranteeing a minimum income in old age even outside the contributory regime.
According to , the Old Age Social Pension is a monthly support intended for those who have reached legal retirement age but have not met the necessary discounts for the general pension.
Who can benefit
The support is intended for residents in Portugal or similar, who are not covered by any contributory scheme, whether Social Security or another social protection system.
Foreign citizens who live in Portugal and are covered by community regulations or international Social Security agreements with countries such as Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Canada or Australia can also apply, as long as they do not have active discounts.
The support also applies to those who have made some deductions, but insufficient to access the old-age pension, and to pensioners whose pension is lower than the value of the social pension, functioning in these cases as supplement up to the defined limit.
Income Requirements
Access to the Old Age Social Pension requires low income. For isolated holders, gross monthly income cannot exceed 40% of the Social Support Index (IAS). For couples, the limit rises to 60% of the IAS.
The assessment considers income before discounts and includes pensions, social support and other sources of income. In addition to the financial criteria, it is necessary to meet the minimum age required for retirement.
The amount awarded is neither fixed nor lifetime, and may vary according to the beneficiary’s economic situation, and is subject to periodic reevaluation.
Possibility of accumulation
The Old Age Social Pension can be combined with other support, as long as legal limits are respected, such as the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly, the Dependency Supplement, the Extraordinary Solidarity Supplement or the Social Insertion Income.
It can also be accumulated with survivors’ or widow’s pensions, as long as the total does not exceed the minimum disability and old-age pension of the general scheme. Income of another nature is also accepted, as long as it is within the limits defined for granting support.
According to Social Security, both the value and duration of the pension depend on the specific situation of the beneficiary. It is recommended to consult the Social Old Age Pension practical guide, which details all the rules, values and procedures for submitting the request.
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