International careers are increasingly common today, as professionals may establish themselves and contribute for years to Brazil’s social security system before moving to another country and continuing their careers under a different social security system.
International mobility, however, highlights an issue that is often considered only when retirement approaches: what happens to the contributions made in each country?
The answer is not always straightforward, as contributing to social security systems in different countries does not automatically result in the conversion or combination of those contributions into a single benefit.
Each country has its own requirements for granting and calculating retirement benefits, and the way each contribution period interacts with the other depends, among other factors, on whether an International Social Security Agreement is in place.
These agreements serve as instruments for coordinating and integrating the social security systems of different countries. Within the established rules, they may allow contribution periods completed abroad to be used to meet the requirements for eligibility for certain benefits.
Even so, the existence of an international social security agreement does not mean that contribution periods completed in the signatory countries will be automatically credited or combined. The use of these periods depends on an analysis of the conditions established in the applicable agreement and the specific rules of each country’s social security legislation, which continue to apply on a complementary basis. Accordingly, each country determines whether the applicable requirements have been met and, when appropriate, grants and pays the benefit for which it is responsible, in accordance with the agreement and its domestic legislation.
The Social Security Agreement Between Brazil and the United States
As an example, the Social Security Agreement between Brazil and the United States may, subject to certain criteria, allow a professional who has worked in both countries to use periods completed under one system, in certain circumstances, to meet the eligibility requirements for retirement benefits under the other system, even though each country applies its own social security rules to determine the rights and benefits owed.
Therefore, the existence of the agreement does not, by itself, mean that all contribution periods will be used in the most advantageous manner. It is from this perspective that international social security planning becomes particularly important.
Likewise, the possibility of receiving social security benefits from more than one country is one of the most valuable aspects of an international professional career.
Depending on the individual’s contribution history and whether the requirements of each system are met, a professional may be entitled to separate retirement benefits, granted and paid independently by the respective countries. In this context, a strategic analysis can not only determine whether contribution periods may be used, but also evaluate the alternatives available under each system, helping ensure that social security rights built over the course of an international career are properly identified and utilized. This may even allow for the receipt of both Brazilian and U.S. retirement benefits.
From this perspective, rather than analyzing retirement only when the benefit is about to be claimed, planning makes it possible to assess the professional’s entire contribution history in advance and understand how the systems involved interact, allowing different scenarios to be compared and helping identify the most appropriate strategy.
For Brazilians living abroad, for example, one of the key questions is whether maintaining social security contributions in Brazil is necessary or advisable. There is no single answer to this question. The decision depends on several factors, including contribution history, the insured individual’s age, the country where they work, the existence of a social security agreement, and the requirements that remain to be met to qualify for benefits.
In certain situations, continuing to contribute in Brazil may be relevant to meeting eligibility requirements or obtaining more favorable retirement conditions. In others, however, making contributions without prior analysis may represent a cost that does not necessarily result in a corresponding social security advantage.
Planning also involves reviewing social security records. In Brazil, for example, the National Social Information Registry (Cadastro Nacional de Informações Sociais or CNIS) contains essential data regarding employment relationships, contributions, and earnings considered by the National Social Security Institute (INSS). Reviewing these records makes it possible to identify and correct missing information, inconsistencies, or outstanding issues, helping mitigate the risk that such problems could affect either recognition of eligibility or the calculation of benefits. Advance review and correction are particularly important for professionals with international career histories.
Ultimately, international social security planning is not limited to determining when an individual will be able to retire. It involves understanding how contributions made in different countries, international agreements, and future contribution decisions can be strategically organized according to each professional’s circumstances and objectives.
In this context, conducting this analysis in advance creates greater opportunities to correct inconsistencies, evaluate alternatives, and direct future contributions efficiently for professionals who have built or intend to build an international career, providing greater predictability and security in retirement planning.
Written by Daniel Rangel and Juliana Lins