Aposentadoria no Exterior

Brazil-Canada Social Security Agreement: Benefits and Procedures

10/10/2023 /

The bilateral agreement between Brazil and Canada ensures that social security rights are preserved for individuals who live or work in both countries. This treaty facilitates access to essential benefits—such as retirement, survivors’ pensions, and disability benefits—by allowing contribution periods from both jurisdictions to be combined.

Scope of the Agreement

The treaty applies to anyone currently or previously insured under the social security systems of Brazil or Canada. This includes employees, self-employed professionals, and their dependants.

Key Benefits Covered

  • Disability Pension (Aposentadoria por invalidez)

  • Old-Age Pension (Aposentadoria por idade)

  • Survivors’ Pension (Pensão por morte)

Fundamental Principles

  1. Equality of Treatment: Claimants are entitled to the same rights and obligations as citizens of the country where they reside or work.

  2. Exportability of Benefits: Social security benefits can be received in either Brazil or Canada without suspension or reduction due to residency in the other territory.

Totalisation of Contribution Periods

For individuals who have worked in both countries, contribution periods can be aggregated to meet the eligibility requirements for benefits.

  • In Brazil: Periods contributed to the Canadian system count towards Brazilian pension eligibility.

  • In Canada: Periods contributed to the Brazilian system count towards Canadian pension eligibility.

Calculation Methods

Brazil

  • Without Totalisation: If a claimant meets eligibility requirements based solely on Brazilian contributions, the benefit is calculated using only those periods.

  • With Totalisation: If eligibility is reached only by combining periods, a ‘theoretical value’ is determined based on total contributions and then adjusted proportionally (pro-rata) to the periods completed in Brazil. The final amount cannot be lower than the Brazilian statutory minimum.

Canada

  • Old Age Security (OAS): The value is calculated based on residency periods in Canada, also taking into account coverage periods in Brazil.

  • Canada Pension Plan (CPP): The earnings-related portion is based exclusively on pensionable earnings under the CPP, while the fixed portion is calculated proportionally.

Temporary Postings (Detached Workers)

Employees sent by their employers to work temporarily in the other country may remain subject to their home country’s social security system for up to 60 months.

  • Certificate of Coverage: A formal certificate must be obtained to confirm which social security system applies and the duration of the exemption from local contributions.

Specialist Legal Assistance

Navigating cross-border social security requirements requires technical precision to ensure that periods are correctly totalised and benefits are maximised. Our firm provides specialised consultancy for both Brazilian and foreign nationals, ensuring their social security rights are fully protected under the Brazil-Canada Agreement.

Should you require assistance with pension planning or benefit applications involving both jurisdictions, please contact our team:

  • Email: contato@indianaraduarte.com

  • WhatsApp: +55 48 3249-4208

We represent clients across Brazil, and worldwide.