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Learn Why Many Brazilians Fail to Claim Benefits After the Death of a Relative. Discover Which Financial Assets Are Most Often Forgotten and How to Avoid This Mistake.
According to a survey by the Planeje Bem platform, which specializes in estate planning and post-loss support, Brazilians are leaving an average of R$ 10,000 to R$ 50,000 in benefits unclaimed after the death of a close relative.
The study points out that the main cause of this forgetting lies in the ignorance of “invisible assets” — financial and social rights that do not go through the traditional probate process and are often ignored during the mourning process.
What Are “Invisible Assets”?
“Invisible assets” refer to resources that families can access without the need for a formal probate.
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Many of these amounts are neglected due to a lack of information and the complexity of claiming such benefits amid the pain of loss.
The executive director of Planeje Bem, Carolina Aparício, highlights that ignorance about the financial and social rights of the deceased is one of the biggest obstacles to recovering these resources.
“It is common for people to assume that all assets and rights must necessarily go through probate, but there are various assets that can be claimed simply, as long as one knows where and how to look.
Many of these amounts are forgotten because there is no clear guidance during the mourning period,” says Carolina.
Most Neglected Assets After Death
The survey by Planeje Bem reveals which assets are most frequently forgotten by families during mourning. Among the most ignored benefits are:
- DPVAT Insurance Compensation (40% of cases): Compensation for traffic accidents or death that is not claimed.
- Labor Assistance and Benefits (25% to 30% of cases): FGTS, PIS/Pasep, salary, vacation, thirteenth salary, among others.
- Bank Accounts, Investments, and Consortiums (25% of cases).
- Life and Personal Accident Insurance (20% of cases).
- Death Pension from INSS (10% of cases).
Additionally, there are other lesser-known benefits that are also neglected, such as funeral assistance (R$ 2,000 to R$ 5,000), airline miles, and resources linked to digital wallets or credit cards.
Who Are the Main Responsible Parties for Forgetting These Benefits?
The survey also reveals that, in a large part of cases, the forgetting of benefits occurs due to a specific group of heirs.
The majority of beneficiaries who fail to claim these amounts are, surprisingly, men aged 25 to 45, representing 65% to 70% of the recorded cases.
Another interesting piece of data is the family ties of those who forget. Many of these heirs are nieces, children, or grandchildren of the deceased who, after addressing more urgent matters like the funeral, end up distancing themselves from the bureaucratic formalities necessary to recover the assets.
This situation is even more common when these heirs were not directly involved in the financial management of the deceased and, with the hustle and bustle of daily life, deadlines end up expiring without them realizing it.
The age range of 25 to 45 indicates that younger individuals, often overwhelmed with multiple daily responsibilities, tend to postpone or even forget these financial procedures.
This shows that, in addition to the pain of loss, financial priorities can be overshadowed by routine and a lack of knowledge of the legal and financial processes involved.
Reasons for Forgetting
In many cases, forgetting the DPVAT — the most ignored benefit — occurs due to the unexpected nature of the death, especially in traffic accidents.
The pain of mourning can cause family members to postpone the search for financial rights, and time ends up passing without the necessary actions being taken.
Moreover, in the case of labor assistance, such as FGTS or PIS/Pasep, Carolina Aparício highlights that, if the heirs are in agreement, there is no need to wait for probate to make the withdrawal. “In some cases, a simple court order can resolve the issue, without the need for formal probate,” she explains.
Another relevant factor is that many deceased individuals had benefits in bank accounts, investments, or consortiums but never informed their families.
Additionally, the lack of updates to beneficiaries in insurance policies and other contracts can contribute to the forgetting of these rights.
The Importance of Planning and Informing
This survey reinforces the importance of adequate estate planning and the need for clear guidance for families during times of loss.
Knowing what the invisible assets are, where to find them, and how to claim them can prevent significant losses in the succession process.
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