Types of retirement: see which one is best for you!
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Perfil completo05/07/2025
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Retirement is one of the most anticipated moments for many, when, after years of work, they can receive the monthly benefit paid by the INSS (National Institute of Social Security) to support themselves. This right is granted to every worker who, throughout their life, has contributed to the system through their work.
But when it comes time to retire, many people are unsure about the best type of retirement to apply for. This is because the INSS (National Institute of Social Security) offers several options for retirement.
In this article, we'll show you the different types of retirement and the best option for you. Read on to find out!
What are the types of retirement?
The INSS offers seven basic types of retirement plans. Check out each one:
- Retirement based on length of service.
- Retirement based on length of contribution for people with disabilities.
- Urban retirement by age.
- Rural retirement by age.
- Retirement by age for people with disabilities
- Disability retirement.
- Teacher retirement.
Retirement based on length of service
To apply for the benefit, it is necessary to prove a minimum contribution period, 35 years for men and 30 years for women.
If the insured has not reached the required total time by November 13, 2019, the INSS will conduct a specific analysis. In this context, the transition rule provided for in the Pension Reform, established by Constitutional Amendment 103, comes into effect.
The transitional rule aims to adapt retirement based on length of service to the changes introduced by the reform. It offers an alternative for those who were unable to complete the minimum required time by the aforementioned date. The idea is to ensure that insured individuals have the opportunity to benefit more advantageously from the transition, considering the new legal provisions.
This more flexible approach aims to ensure equity and adequacy of pension conditions, recognizing the particularities of each contributor. Thus, the individualized analysis seeks to provide policyholders with the best application of the transition rules according to their specific circumstances and the general context of the Pension Reform.
Requirements
People who already have the minimum contribution period required:
- Man – 35 years old;
- Woman – 30 years old.
It is worth remembering that those who reach this contribution period after 11/13/2019 must enter one of the established transition rules, where the years of contribution and the contributor's age will be added to obtain the necessary points for retirement.
See the age rule for retirement based on length of service according to the transition rule:
| Year | Minimum Age Required
Woman |
Minimum Age Required
Man |
| 2019 | 56 years old | 61 years old |
| 2020 | 56 years and 6 months | 61 years and 6 months |
| 2021 | 57 years old | 62 years old |
| 2022 | 57 years and 6 months | 62 years and 6 months |
| 2023 | 58 years old | 63 years old |
| 2024 | 58 years and 6 months | 63 years and 6 months |
| 2025 | 59 years old | 64 years old |
| 2026 | 59 years and 6 months | 64 years and 6 months |
| 2027 | 60 years | 65 years old |
| 2028 | 60 years and 6 months | 65 years old |
| 2029 | 61 years old | 65 years old |
| 2030 | 61 years and 6 months | 65 years old |
| 2031 onwards | 62 years old | 65 years old |
Is retirement based on length of service worth it?
If you have already completed the minimum contribution time requirements, especially if it was before November 2019, retirement based on length of service may be a good option, as it makes it easier to retire.
To check, go to the INSS website or the Meu INSS app and simulate your contribution period.
Retirement based on length of service for people with disabilities
This service is intended for benefit requests for individuals who meet the established contribution time requirements, taking into account each person's degree of disability.
To qualify, you must have worked as a person with a disability for a minimum period of 180 months during your contribution period.
The application process can be initiated entirely online, eliminating the need to visit an INSS agency. During the analysis phase, you may be called in for a medical examination and social evaluation, procedures that help accurately assess the applicant's health and social context.
Requirements
Individuals with disabilities, when applying for benefits, must present proof of contribution time according to the severity of the disability:
- Light: 33 years of contributions (men) or 28 years of contributions (women);
- Moderate: 29 years of contribution (men) or 24 years of contribution (women);
- Serious: 25 years of contribution (men) or 20 years (women).
The assessment of the degree of disability will be conducted by medical experts and the INSS social service.
Is retirement based on length of service worth it for people with disabilities?
This is a specific type of retirement for a specific group. Therefore, for those with some type of disability who have contributed to the INSS for a long time, it's worth running a simulation and applying for this retirement.
It is a way to retire those in need more quickly and, most importantly, to guarantee the rights of people with disabilities.
Urban retirement by age
This service is intended for retirement applications for those who meet the following criteria:
- Proof of a minimum requirement of 180 contributions;
- Minimum of 15 years of contribution time;
- Minimum age of 65 for men or 62 for women.
The application can be submitted entirely online, eliminating the need to visit the INSS in person. This feature aims to streamline the process for beneficiaries, providing greater convenience and speed in granting the benefit.
Requirements
The requirements for this type of retirement are to have a minimum contribution period of 15 years and the minimum age required to retire, 65 for men and 62 for women.
Once both requirements are met, you can apply for retirement.
Is urban retirement age worth it?
Urban retirement by age is currently one of the most requested forms of retirement by taxpayers, as it is the easiest way to achieve retirement.
So, if you are already of retirement age, or are about to reach it, this type of retirement is the one you should consider applying for.
Rural retirement by age
This service is intended for the application of retirement benefits for individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Proof of at least 180 months of work in rural activities;
- Reaching the minimum age of 60 years for men or 55 years for women.
It is important to emphasize that this benefit extends not only to rural workers, but also includes artisanal and indigenous fishermen.
Employees, individual contributors and rural casual workers also have the right to retirement with a reduced age, provided they have performed their activities throughout the period as a rural worker.
In situations where the worker does not meet the minimum work time required as a special insured person, there is the option of adding urban work time. In this case, it is possible to apply for the benefit upon reaching the age of 60 for women and 65 for men.
This flexibility aims to recognize and respond to diverse work realities, providing rural workers, artisanal fishermen, and indigenous people with the opportunity to retire in a manner consistent with their professional trajectories.
Requirements
According to the INSS system, proof of at least 180 months of rural work and age of 60 for men or 55 for women is required.
With these requirements, it is possible to apply for your rural retirement age.
Is rural retirement age worth it?
If you are part of one of the groups that is entitled to this retirement, it is worth applying, as this way you can retire a little earlier than if you were based on urban age.
This benefit is granted taking into account all the work carried out in the field by each person and, thus, as a way of also bringing a benefit to them.
Retirement by age for people with disabilities
This service is intended for the application of retirement benefits for individuals who, working in both urban and rural areas, meet the following criteria:
- Proof of 180 months of contributions or rural work, as a person with a disability;
- Reaching the minimum age of 60 years for men or 55 years for women.
The disability must be documented through medical records and submitted for analysis by medical experts and the INSS social services for accurate assessment.
This benefit aims to recognize the specific needs of people with disabilities, offering the opportunity for retirement based on criteria that take into account both contribution time and age, adapting to the particularities of this segment of the population.
The medical and social review process provides a comprehensive approach to ensure that individual health conditions and circumstances are considered fairly and appropriately.
Requirements
The requirements to retire by this means are:
- Being a person with a disability (documented by a medical report and assessed by the INSS).
- Have more than 180 months of contributions.
- Be 60 years old (men) or 55 (women).
Is retirement by age worth it for people with disabilities?
If you are part of the group of People with Disabilities, retirement by age is one of the ways you can retire a little earlier, guaranteeing the right by law that you can have your benefit.
So, if you want to retire this way, gather your medical reports and proof of contributions and make the request.
Disability retirement
This service is intended for benefit requests for individuals who, through medical expert evaluation, prove that they are permanently unable to perform their usual work activities.
It is crucial to emphasize that, during the medical examination, a thorough analysis will be carried out to determine the nature of the benefit due, whether temporary (sickness benefit) or permanent (disability retirement).
Disability retirement is a crucial social security benefit for those facing significant, long-term limitations on their ability to work. A detailed assessment by specialized medical professionals ensures that the benefit is granted fairly and in line with the applicant's clinical situation.
Requirements
According to the INSS, individuals who, due to illness, are completely unable to perform their work or usual activities can apply for this type of retirement.
Is disability retirement worth it?
If you have an illness that prevents you from returning to work, preventing you from successfully carrying out your daily activities, this is a way to activate the benefit so that you have an income.
It's worth remembering that the benefit may be permanent or temporary, depending on the severity of your illness and the type of problem you have. So, keep in mind that you may need to return for further evaluations.
Teacher retirement
Retirement based on length of service for teachers is a special social security benefit, characterized by different rules compared to other professional categories.
For teachers, specific requirements are established: the minimum age is 55 years for women and 58 years for men, accompanied by a minimum contribution period of 25 years for both sexes.
In addition to this distinction, it is worth noting that this retirement modality allows for the inclusion of time spent teaching preschool, elementary, and secondary education. Additionally, it allows for the inclusion of time worked in other fields, providing a flexible approach to calculating contribution time.
Requirements
Obtaining retirement based on length of service for teachers involves different rules compared to other workers. The specific requirements are as follows:
- Minimum Age: 60 years for men and 57 years for women;
- Contribution Time: 25 years of effective contribution for both sexes;
- Teaching Time: It is necessary to have at least 10 years of experience in teaching, including activities in early childhood education, primary or secondary education.
Is retirement worth it for teachers?
If you are a teacher, have the minimum contribution period and are of minimum age to make the request, it is worth making the request.
This will give you the right to retirement in a simpler way, as a form of recognition for services rendered to society.
How do I choose my retirement?
Choosing a retirement plan is a crucial decision that will shape your financial situation and lifestyle in old age. Given the diverse options available, it's essential to consider several factors to make an informed decision aligned with your individual goals.
The first step to choosing the ideal retirement plan is understanding the different types of retirement available. The most common options include retirement based on length of service, retirement based on age, and specific modalities for professional categories, such as teachers.
It's crucial to evaluate the specificities of each modality in relation to personal characteristics, such as age, length of service, and the nature of the professional career. For example, teachers may benefit from specific rules that recognize the uniqueness of the profession.
Furthermore, assessing the financial impact is crucial. Calculating the benefit value for each modality and understanding how it will adjust to future expense needs is vital to making the right choice.
Another aspect to consider is the flexibility of each category regarding retirement timing. Some categories allow transitional rules, providing options for those closer to retirement when legislative changes occur.
Professional support also plays a crucial role in this process. Consulting a pension specialist can offer valuable insights, clarify doubts, and provide a comprehensive overview of available options.
Therefore, choosing the right retirement plan requires careful analysis of available options, considering individual characteristics and future goals. By understanding the nuances of each type and seeking expert guidance, it's possible to make informed decisions that provide a more secure and satisfying retirement.
How do I check my retirement?
Did you know you can simulate your retirement? The process is simple and can be done directly through the "Meu INSS" app. Check out the step-by-step guide:
- Access the Meu INSS platform.
- In the “What do you need?” section, enter the request “simulate retirement”.
- Check or adjust your details, such as date of birth or relationships, by clicking the pencil icon.
- Then click on “Recalculate”.
- Based on the result obtained, you can choose to “Request Retirement” or download the document in PDF format.
This way, you can find out how your retirement is going and get a simulation of how it will work.
Frequently Asked Questions
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