Workers who face daily health and safety risks can opt for special retirement, a benefit that allows for granting after 15, 20, or 25 years of contributions, depending on the activity performed. This modality is intended for those involved in functions considered unhealthy or dangerous.
Although it is a right guaranteed by law, applying for special retirement is a process that requires specific documentation. In this article, we will present a practical guide to facilitate the request through the Meu INSS system.
The nature of special retirement
Aimed at professionals who work in harmful conditions, special retirement has granting periods that vary according to the level of risk of the activity exercised. The options are as follows:
- 15 years of work in sectors with very high risk, such as underground mining;
- 20 years for functions with moderate risk;
- 25 years in the case of activities that present lower, but still dangerous, risks.
The purpose of this benefit is to provide compensation for the damage that frequent exposure to harmful agents, such as chemicals, radiation, and excessive noise, can cause.
Reduced contribution
In contrast to regular retirement, which requires an average of 30 to 35 years of contributions, special retirement requires a shorter period, provided that the worker proves their constant exposure to risks.
Who can request this benefit?
Professionals from different sectors who work in unhealthy or dangerous environments are entitled to special retirement. Among the most relevant areas, the following stand out:
- Doctors and dentists;
- Nurses and laboratory technicians;
- Firefighters and armed guards;
- Heavy machine operators;
- Metalworkers;
- Construction workers, miners, and cold storage workers;
- Drivers transporting hazardous materials.
It is essential that exposure to risks is continuous, as sporadic activities are not accepted for this type of retirement.
Necessary documentation
To prove the right to special retirement, it is necessary to present documentation that validates the unhealthy or dangerous function. The main documents include:
PPP – Professional Profile of the Insured
This report, which must be provided by the employer, details the activities performed by the worker, the associated risks, and the harmful agents to which they have been exposed.
LTCAT – Technical Report on Environmental Working Conditions
Prepared by qualified professionals, such as occupational safety engineers or specialized doctors, this report evaluates the work environment and confirms exposure to risks.
In addition to these, other documents that may be requested include:
- Employment contracts;
- Pay slips showing additional unhealthy or dangerous work;
- Health inspection reports.
How to apply through Meu INSS?
On the Meu INSS portal, there is no direct option for “special retirement,” but the request can be made through the option “Retirement by Contribution Time,” by inserting the required documentation.
Step by step in Meu INSS:
- Access the site meu.inss.gov.br or open the Meu INSS app;
- Log in with your CPF and password;
- Go to “More services” and click on “Retirements”;
- Choose “Retirement by Contribution Time”;
- Update your personal information;
- Attach the relevant documents;
- Follow the instructions until you complete the request.
Important: In the justification field, indicate that this is a special retirement, to facilitate evaluation by the staff.
Changes in regulations after 1995
With the promulgation of the Law 9,032/1995, which came into effect on April 28, 1995, the system of classification by professional category was modified. From this moment, it became necessary to present documentation that proves unhealthy or dangerous work, even for professions that were previously recognized automatically.
Practical example: the case of João
João, a doctor who worked from 1990 to 2000, can consider the service time from 1990 to 1995 for his special retirement without needing documentation. However, for the period after the legislation, he will need to provide proof of exposure to risks.
Timeframe for granting special retirement
Generally, the time for analyzing the request is five to six months, but it can be extended in case of missing documents. Judicial requests may take from 18 to 36 months, depending on the circumstances. Therefore, it is extremely important to prepare the documentation carefully before starting the process. Consulting specialists in social security law can avoid mistakes and expedite the processing of the request.