The Senate this Wednesday (12th) approved a project to ban related discounting of INSS benefits, the mechanism that enabled the irregular pension discounting scandal. The project has passed the House of Representatives and is currently awaiting presidential approval.
It was symbolic that the proposal was passed without counting the votes. This method is possible if there is an agreement between the parties regarding the project.
The proposal also determines the return of related discounts and installments of assignment loans that were wrongfully debited for Social Security benefits. According to the text, if the responsible entity does not return the funds to the beneficiary within 30 days of notification, INSS will be responsible for redemption.
If INSS is unable to recover the amount from the responsible entity, the loss to Social Security will be compensated by the FGC (Fredit Guarantee Fund).
This section was criticized by the government but was approved so that the project would not require a new assessment by the Chamber of Commerce. This part of the proposal suggests that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) could veto it with the consent of Congress.
“If the group does not refund the shipment, it is the INSS and the federation that will pay it back. So if the group defrauded the cargo, it will send the bill to the widow, and it will send the bill to the federation and the Brazilian people,” said Sen. Randolph Rodríguez (PT-AP), the government’s leader in Congress.
He called on the project’s rapporteur, opposition leader Senator Rogelio Marinho (PL-RN), to change this section. Marinho said he would accept the proposal, but Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (United AP) said the changes would require the project to undergo a new analysis by parliament.
“The most appropriate thing, therefore, would be for us to approve it and assert the veto of the President of the Republic over this device, thereby adjusting the subject,” Randolph declared.
Since the PF (Federal Police) and CGU (Federal Comptroller General) launched an operation against irregular discounts in April, the topic has taken on political appeal and turned into a nationwide scandal. This episode motivated the creation of the CPI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry), made up of Congressmen and Senators.
It was found that this operation allowed the entity to directly discount the income of INSS beneficiaries without proper authorization. In theory, these organizations should (if allowed) offer their services in exchange for a discount, but there is evidence that this is not even happening.
This incident affected the image of Lula’s government. It was also part of the opposition’s bet to damage the image of the president of the republic ahead of elections in 2026, when PT members will seek a new term for President Planalto.
The project approved on Wednesday this week provides for safeguards if direct pension discounts, such as salary loans, continue to be allowed. Measures will be taken in the future, including requiring biometric authentication for beneficiaries who accept discounts.
Additionally, the proposal would establish rules for the seizure of assets of people investigated or accused of unfairly discounting INSS benefits. In addition to other hypotheses, all assets of the accused owner and the company of which he is a partner may be seized.
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