INSS statement on 05/12 refutes rumors, alerts those receiving sickness benefits in 2025, and explains when the benefit can become a permanent disability pension after the medical examination and mandatory official professional rehabilitation
The INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) statement on December 5th provides guidance to those receiving sickness benefits in 2025, officially clarifies clear criteria for medical examinations, reinforces mandatory professional rehabilitation, and explains in which situations the benefit can be converted into permanent disability retirement, dispelling rumors and promises of automatic conversion spread on social media.
On December 05, 2025, the INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) released a statement regarding sickness benefits to clarify doubts for those receiving temporary disability benefits, and was surprised by messages on social media promising… Automatic conversion to permanent disability retirement.without the need for a medical examination or professional rehabilitation. The social security agency emphasized that these promises do not reflect current legislation and that each case remains subject to detailed technical analysis.
In practice, the INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) announcement aimed to organize information for beneficiaries in 2025, explaining how sickness benefits work, the role of medical examinations, the structure of the professional rehabilitation program, and the specific situations in which the benefit can be converted into retirement benefits. permanent disability. The official message emphasized that the path always involves expert assessment and, when necessary, vocational rehabilitation.and not through shortcuts offered by intermediaries or rumors on social media.
The INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) statement of December 05th does not create a new benefit, but clarifies the process already established by law for those receiving sick pay in 2025.
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The official guidance is that Sickness benefit continues to be a benefit for temporary disability.This benefit is granted when the insured person proves, through a medical examination, that they are unable to work due to physical or mental health reasons for a specified period.
The text makes it clear that the INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) statement aims primarily to dispel the idea that there is an “automatic conversion” from sickness benefit to permanent disability retirement.
Instead, the agency explains that any change in benefits depends on reports, technical opinions and, in many cases, the insured person’s effective participation in the professional rehabilitation program.
How does sick pay work as a temporary disability benefit?
Sickness benefit, technically called temporary disability benefit, is due to insured individuals who meet the minimum qualifying period, maintain a link with the INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute), and prove, through a medical examination, that they cannot perform their usual activity for a certain period.
This benefit is not permanent and is subject to periodic reviews.…depending on how the health condition evolves.
The process begins with scheduling the medical examination through the Meu INSS portal or app.
On the scheduled date, the insured person submits medical reports, examinations, and documents that prove the disability.
The medical expert assesses whether the condition prevents the individual from working in their current role. If the disability is confirmed, sick pay is granted for a fixed period or until a new assessment is made.
If the expert determines that there are conditions for recovery, the benefit is terminated, and the insured person may submit new documentation if the condition worsens.
Medical examination determines extension, termination, and referral to other benefits.
The INSS statement reinforces that the Medical expertise is the central focus of decisions regarding sick leave benefits..
Based on the expert report, the institute determines whether the benefit will be maintained, extended, terminated, or whether the case should be studied for a possible change in classification, including referral for professional rehabilitation or analysis for permanent disability retirement.
In the statement, the INSS clarifies that the medical examination assesses not only the disease itself, but also the impact of the condition on the insured person’s ability to work.
This means that two people with similar diagnoses may make different decisions, depending on their professional role, the physical or cognitive demands of the job, and their ability to adapt to other tasks. Without a valid medical examination, there is no basis for transforming a temporary benefit into a permanent one.
Vocational rehabilitation is a mandatory step before retirement due to permanent disability.
Another central point of the INSS statement is professional rehabilitation.
The agency denies rumors that the institute is prevented from referring insured individuals to the program and states that Vocational rehabilitation continues to function fully and is integrated into the official disability benefits process..
The INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) professional rehabilitation program aims to assess whether an insured person receiving sickness benefits can be adapted to another function or activity compatible with their health limitations.
The process usually follows structured steps, which the INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) announcement helps to detail for those who have questions:
- Initial assessment of the insured’s functional capacity and limitations.
- Development of a professional rehabilitation plan with goals and possible courses or training programs.
- Continuous monitoring, with periodic reassessments and technical reports.
- Final report from the team, indicating whether or not a return to work is possible in a given activity.
Only when the medical examination and the professional rehabilitation team conclude that There is no real possibility of readjustment to any compatible activity. The case is then analyzed for permanent disability retirement.
When can sickness benefits be converted into permanent disability retirement?
The INSS statement reinforces that permanent disability retirement, formerly known as invalidity retirement, is an extreme measure, reserved for cases where the disability is total and permanent for any work activity.
There is no automatic conversion of sickness benefits into permanent disability retirement.even when the insured person is no longer able to perform their original job.
For sickness benefits to be converted into permanent disability retirement, a medical examination must certify total and permanent disability, and vocational rehabilitation must conclude that there is no possibility of adaptation.
Without this combination of technical elements, the benefit remains sick pay, subject to periodic reviews.
The INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) statement warns that promises of “guaranteed retirement” without a medical examination or participation in professional rehabilitation are not supported by social security regulations.
How does the INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) officially analyze rumors and false information on social media?
The INSS statement from December 5th also dedicates space to addressing rumors on social media.
The institute reports that messages that promise Disability retirement without medical examination, vocational rehabilitation, or document review. They should be considered false.
Brazilian social security legislation requires a detailed technical assessment and does not authorize automatic decisions based solely on the length of absence from work or messages from third parties.
The INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) advises beneficiaries to consult only official channels, such as Meu INSS (My INSS), the institutional website, and the Customer Service Center, in addition to carefully reading announcements such as the one from December 05th.
When there is legal doubt or a feeling of potential harm, the recommendation is to seek specialized guidance, avoiding intermediaries who charge for supposed “services” that do not exist within the formal rules.
How to request, track, and challenge decisions regarding sick leave benefits.
According to the INSS statement, There is no direct application for permanent disability retirement in the system..
The process always begins with applying for temporary disability benefits, also known as sickness benefits.
Based on subsequent medical examinations and any participation in vocational rehabilitation, the INSS itself assesses whether the case should be converted into a permanent benefit.
Throughout the entire process, the insured person must keep their registration data updated, submit recent medical reports and exams, and monitor the progress through Meu INSS (My INSS).
If the termination of sickness benefits is deemed unfair, it is possible to submit new documentation, request reconsideration, or appeal through administrative channels.
The INSS statement insists that The safe path is to follow the official steps, with medical expertise and, when indicated, vocational rehabilitation., and Be wary of any shortcuts. promised outside of institutional channels.
With so much information and rumors circulating at the same time, have you checked if the INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute) announcement regarding sick pay actually changes anything in your case and if you are prepared for the next medical examination?
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