Social Security corrects pensions and will return money for errors

An error in the calculation of early pensions has left many retirees receiving less than what they were entitled to. Social Security has corrected it ex officio and will return the money that has not been received since January 2026.

The news was surprising because it was believed that the pension system was infallible, but reality has uncovered a flaw that mainly affects those who retired early with high salaries.

Errors detected by the OCU in pensions

What is the problem?

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) warned that Social Security had applied cuts greater than allowed by law on voluntary early retirement pensions granted in 2026. This caused some pensioners to receive less than they were entitled to, without immediately realizing it.

Who is affected?

The most affected group are people who chose to take voluntary early retirement with initial pensions exceeding the established maximum limit, a group with long careers and high salaries. In these cases, the calculation error caused excessive reductions that lowered the pension below the legal regulation.

How early retirement and its calculation works

Modalities and reduction coefficients

Early retirement allows stopping work before the official age, but with a proportional pension reduction. In the voluntary modality, the affected person accepts that the pension decreases according to coefficients that depend on the years contributed and the time remaining until the ordinary age.

Differences in calculation after the reform

Before the 2021 reform, coefficients were calculated based on the regulatory base. Now, they are applied to a theoretical pension that already includes the percentage according to the years contributed. This especially impacts those with long careers and high salaries, which is why a transitional period was created until 2033.

The correction and refund by Social Security

What has the Ministry done?

The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration signed a resolution on March 24, 2026, that requires reapplying the transitional regime until 2033. Thus, pensions affected will be reviewed and adjusted without pensioners having to request it.

What steps should those affected follow?

Although the review will be ex officio, the OCU recommends checking the amounts and being attentive to Social Security notifications. If the correction is not applied correctly, a claim can be filed to recover the missing money.