Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
2 comments 
New Rule Requires Mandatory Biometric Registration for Retirement, Bolsa Família, and BPC; Millions Must Check if They Are Already Registered.
The federal government has made biometric registration mandatory for those receiving retirement benefits, Bolsa Família, BPC, and other Social Security benefits. This measure was formalized by Decree No. 12,561, signed on July 23, 2025, by the president, and is already in effect. According to lawyer Ricardo Azevedo, a specialist in social security law, those without registration may face temporary suspension until the situation is regularized.
The change directly affects retirees, pensioners, and beneficiaries of social programs.
The goal is to increase security and reduce fraud, but lack of information may create fear among millions of Brazilians.
-
Government suspends over 3 million traffic fines in Brazil and drivers breathe a sigh of relief.
-
Iran has just approved toll charges for ships in the Strait of Hormuz and has completely prohibited the passage of vessels from the United States and Israel in the world’s most important maritime route for the global energy market.
-
Government cancels R$ 25 million “celebration” for Brasília’s anniversary and allocates funds to health.
-
Winning money seems like a dream, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare when financial success awakens envy, demands, and opportunism from all sides; this was the case with Jack Whittaker, who won $315 million in 2002 and ended up alone, bankrupt, and devastated.
Although over 150 million people have already registered their biometrics, experts warn it is essential to verify the situation to avoid losing access to payments.
What Changed with the Decree
With the new rule, mandatory biometric registration becomes a requirement to maintain, renew, or request any social security or assistance benefit.
This includes retirements, pensions, sick pay, BPC, Bolsa Família, and even services such as Popular Pharmacy.
The data cross-referencing will be conducted by the Public Civil Identification Infrastructure, which integrates the registries of the National Identity Card, CNH, Electoral Justice, and Federal Police.
According to Ricardo Azevedo, this measure is “one of the most significant changes in recent years in Social Security”.
He explains that the intention is to hinder fraud and duplicate registrations, but emphasizes that no one can be immediately harmed: “The decree itself guarantees that if access to biometrics is not available, the beneficiary may continue receiving through traditional means.”
Who Already Has Biometrics Registered
The good news is that the majority of the population will not need to worry. The government reported that over 150 million Brazilians already have biometrics in some official system.
This means that, in practice, many beneficiaries are already meeting the requirement without realizing it.
Among the main databases used are the National Identity Card (CIN), CNH, the electoral registry of the TSE, and records from the Federal Savings Bank.
In Bolsa Família alone, for example, over 90% of beneficiaries already have biometrics collected. Those who have renewed documents recently will likely not need to go through the process again.
Where to Verify if You Are Regular
Those still in doubt can confirm their situation at INSS or Federal Savings Bank agencies.
The procedure is quick: just provide your CPF and official document to check if your biometrics are already in the system. If not, the registration can be done on-site.
Ricardo Azevedo advises that citizens should not wait for the suspension to regularize: “It’s better to check promptly and ensure peace of mind.
However, if difficulties arise, the law protects beneficiaries against immediate payment suspension.”
Why Mandatory Biometric Registration Was Adopted
The decision to implement mandatory biometric registration is linked to the increase in fraud in social and social security programs.
The use of fingerprints allows for the unique identification of each beneficiary, preventing undue payments and saving public resources. The government also argues that digitization streamlines processes, reduces travel, and makes access safer.
In addition, the measure brings Brazil closer to models already used in other countries for authenticating citizens in public services.
However, social rights advocacy entities warn of the need for clear communication, as more vulnerable populations may have difficulty accessing information and service units.
What to Do Now
If you receive retirement, Bolsa Família, BPC, or any other federal benefit, follow these steps:
1. Check if you already have biometrics registered (CNH, CIN, or updated voter registration).
2. Confirm your situation at an INSS or Caixa agency.
3. If you are not yet in the system, register your biometrics at the indicated location.
4. Keep in mind that, while universal access to the registry is not available, no one can be prevented from receiving benefits.
According to Ricardo Azevedo, it is important for beneficiaries to be aware of what Article 4 of the decree states: “If there is no immediate viability, payments must continue through traditional means until biometrics are available to everyone”.
The implementation of mandatory biometric registration is a significant change in the Brazilian social security and assistance system.
Although the majority of the population is already covered, those who have not yet regularized should seek information to avoid future issues.
The challenge now is to ensure that no beneficiary is harmed due to lack of access to the registry.
Do you agree with this change? Do you think mandatory biometrics will truly protect the system or could it harm those who need it most?
Leave your opinion in the comments; we want to hear from those who experience this firsthand.
SE FOR ADOTADA ESSA PRÁTICA, TORNARÁ O RECEBIMENTO DE QUALQUER BENEFÍCIO MUITO MAIS SEGURO PARA OS APOSENTADOS E PENSIONISTAS ….EU RECEBO MINHA APOSENTADORIA NO BB E SÓ USO A DIGITAL…👍
Me sinto perdida e insegura pois entrei em contato com INSS e ninguém soube me orientar sobre isso sou representante legal meu filho é autista severo tem muitas dificuldades de sair de casa estou tentando fazer o cadastro biométrico dele e até agora não consegui por muitas dificuldades de locomoção queria saber se so eu como representante legal posso fazer ou ele terá que fazer também