International social security · SPD Advocacia
Moving abroad and already receive INSS payments? See how to keep your benefit in another country
Retirement and survivor's pensions from Brazil's social security institute, INSS, can keep being paid to people who move abroad. The firm advises on transferring the payment, the power of attorney and the annual proof of life, to reduce the risk of a payment block.
How do you keep INSS payments after moving to another country?
Anyone who moves to a country that has a social security agreement with Brazil can ask INSS to pay the benefit into a bank abroad. The request is made on Meu INSS, through the service for transferring a benefit to be received in a bank abroad. According to INSS, it is best to file the request before the move or a long trip, to avoid suspension of payment. The agreements with Portugal, Spain, Japan and the United States, among others, provide that the benefit is not reduced just because the person lives in the other country.
INSS asks for an ID document, CPF (Brazilian taxpayer number), proof that the foreign account is in the holder's name, the benefit maintenance transfer form and an up-to-date life certificate. On the form, the SWIFT code is mandatory for European countries, and the ABA code for the United States. According to INSS, the BPC/LOAS welfare benefit cannot be received abroad. For people living in a country without an agreement, INSS states that proof of life goes to the General Coordination for Benefit Payments (Coordenação-Geral de Pagamento de Benefícios), in Brasília.
Living abroad brings other tasks. Proof of life must be done once a year, with a certificate from the consulate or an apostilled notarial document, sent through Meu INSS. You can also appoint an attorney-in-fact to handle requests with INSS, with a power of attorney on the INSS template or by public deed. INSS also has a service for people living abroad to update their income tax data; taxation rules are set by Brazil's Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal) and depend on the case. When you return, there is the reverse request, to be paid again into a Brazilian bank.
What the law says
The points that matter most
In a country with an agreement, payment can go to a foreign bank, with a request on Meu INSS.
The agreements provide that living in the other country does not reduce the benefit (for example, Decree 1,689/1995, art. 5).
According to INSS, the BPC/LOAS cannot be received abroad.
People living abroad prove they are alive once a year, or face a payment block and suspension.
Source: INSS, services “Solicitar Transferência de Benefício para Recebimento em Banco no Exterior” (transfer of benefit to a bank abroad) and “Solicitar Transferência de Benefício de Residente no Exterior para Receber em Banco Brasileiro” (transfer back to a Brazilian bank); INSS, “Comprovação de vida para beneficiários que moram no exterior” (proof of life for beneficiaries living abroad); Decree 1,457/1995, art. 6; Decree 1,689/1995, art. 5; Decree 7,702/2012, art. 5; Decree 9,422/2018, art. 4. Content reviewed on October 23, 2026.
What is your case?
Situations the firm handles
Retiree moving to Portugal
The agreement keeps the right to the benefit after the move.
See pagePayment blocked for lack of a certificate
We advise on the certificate and the request to reactivate the benefit.
See pageWant someone to handle INSS matters in Brazil
We point you to the right power of attorney and the powers it needs.
See pagePensioner living abroad
The transfer to a bank abroad also applies to the survivor's pension.
See pageWant to be paid again in a Brazilian bank
There is a specific request on Meu INSS to bring the payment back.
See pageStep by step
How the firm works
- Review. We check the benefit, the destination country and whether there is a social security agreement.
- Documents. We check the form, the bank details and the life certificate.
- Request. We file the request on Meu INSS and follow the response.
- Routine. We remind you of the annual proof of life and handle pending issues, with updates on WhatsApp.
Case review
Let's look at your case
Answer the questions, one at a time. At the end you can attach documents, which go straight to a folder in the firm's Drive, and send the summary via WhatsApp. Everything is protected by attorney-client confidentiality.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my retirement pension if I move abroad?
INSS retirement and survivor's pensions do not end with the move. In countries with an agreement, payment can go to a foreign bank. The BPC/LOAS is the exception and cannot be received abroad.
Can I receive payment into a foreign account in any country?
According to INSS, transfer to a foreign bank applies to countries that have a social security agreement with Brazil. For other countries, we analyze the best way to keep the payment.
What bank details does INSS ask for?
Bank, branch, account, bank address and, depending on the country, SWIFT, ABA and IBAN. SWIFT is mandatory for European countries, and ABA for the United States.
Do I need an attorney-in-fact in Brazil?
The holder can file requests on Meu INSS. If you prefer, you can appoint an attorney-in-fact, with a power of attorney on the INSS template or by public deed.
What about income tax?
INSS has a service for people living abroad to update their income tax data. The tax rules for people who leave Brazil are set by the Federal Revenue Service and vary by case, so we review this before the move.
How much does it cost?
After the analysis, the firm sends a written fee proposal before any engagement.