TN 6 (04-23)

GN 01727.010 Overview of the Portuguese Social Security System

The Portuguese social security system provides a wide range of benefits, including retirement, survivors, and disability benefits. To qualify for Portuguese benefits, a worker must meet minimum coverage or recency-of-work requirements that vary depending on the type of benefit. Benefit amounts are based on the length of time the worker contributed to the Portuguese system and the level of his/her earnings.

How the Portuguese social security system is divided as follows:

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  A general social security system that covers most wage and salaried workers; and

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  Several special systems that cover workers in specific occupational categories, including rural workers, the self-employed, domestic servants, members of the clergy, civil servants, and bank employees. The special systems generally provide the same type of benefits as the general system.

  NOTE: Portugal is in the process of merging these special systems into the general system.