In October, voters will return to the polls to choose president, governors, deputies and also senators — a position with eight-year term and decisive role in institutional and economic issues. But, in practice, what does a senator do and how much does he receive?
The Senate makes up the National Congress alongside the Chamber of Deputies, but operates under a different logic. While deputies serve four-year terms and represent the population proportionally to the size of the states, each federation unit and the Federal District elect three senators, regardless of the population. Renewal occurs every four years, alternating 1/3 and 2/3 of the chairs.
In addition to analyzing and voting on bills, the Senate exercises exclusive functions that place it as a key player in the institutional machinery. It is up to the House to judge cases for crimes of responsibility, which may lead to impeachment, against the President of the Republic, ministers of State, members of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) and the Attorney General of the Republic.
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It is also the responsibility of senators to approve nominations for the STF, for the head of the Attorney General’s Office and for the board of directors of the Central Bank through hearings.
In the fiscal area, the Senate has direct influence over the organization of public finances. The House authorizes external credit operations by the Union, States and municipalities, defines limits on the consolidated debt of federal entities and deals with Union guarantees on loans. It also participates in voting on the annual Budget and the Multi-Year Plan, alongside the Chamber.
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How much does a senator earn?
In 2026, a senator’s gross monthly allowance is R$46,366.19 — an amount equivalent to the constitutional ceiling for public service, according to Law No. 14,520/2023. The amount is the same paid to STF ministers, State ministers and the President of the Republic.
Income tax and social security contribution discounts are applied to this amount, which reduces the net amount received. Individual data can be consulted on the Senate Transparency Portal.
In addition to the salary, the position includes benefits. Senators who do not use a functional apartment can request housing assistance of R$5,500. There is also the so-called parliamentary quota, intended to reimburse expenses linked to legislative activity, funds for air tickets between the state of origin and Brasília, a team with up to 12 commissioned employees, a health plan extended to family members and a cost allowance equivalent to a salary at the beginning and end of the mandate. The position also entitles you to a diplomatic passport.
Prerogatives and restrictions
The Constitution guarantees senators the inviolability of opinions, words and votes in the exercise of their mandate. Since the diploma, they can only be arrested in the act of a non-bailable crime, with subsequent analysis by the House. The trial of possible common crimes takes place in the STF.
On the other hand, there are limitations. Parliamentarians cannot sign contracts with public companies or mixed-capital companies, nor carry out paid positions in companies that maintain contracts with the public authorities.
How does retirement work?
Until the 2019 Social Security reform (Constitutional Amendment No. 103), congressmen’s retirement followed the rules of the Congressmen’s Social Security Plan (PSSC), created by Law No. 9,506/1997. The changes raised the minimum age to 62 years old (women) and 65 years old (men), in addition to requiring a 30% toll on the remaining contribution time.
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New parliamentarians who were not linked to the plan began to follow the general INSS rules or, if they are licensed civil servants, the category’s own regime.
With decision-making power that cuts across fiscal, institutional and judicial issues, the Senate combines a long mandate, broad prerogatives and remuneration at the civil service ceiling. With each election, the weight of this seat returns to the center of the political dispute.
