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The Senate approves a bill creating a special retirement plan for community health and disease control agents. The measure recognizes the risks of the profession and guarantees full and equal pay.
The Senate took an important step for one of the most prevalent categories in Brazilian public health. The Social Affairs Committee (CAS) approved the Complementary Law Project (PLP) 185/2024, which creates rules of special retirement for community health and disease control agents.
The proposal, authored by Senator Veneziano Vital do Rêgo (MDB-PB), now goes to a vote on an urgent basis in the Plenary.
Recognition of an essential category
Present in virtually every municipality in the country, community and endemic disease agents are the link between the public system and Brazilian families. They monitor outbreaks, provide guidance to the population, and directly combat diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Even so, for years, they have lived under a standard pension system, disregarding the physical strain and risks of the profession.
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The new bill seeks to correct this distortion. Approved on October 1, 2025, the text was celebrated by unions and associations in the category, which have been demanding the right to differentiated retirement. For the rapporteur, the measure “is a recognition of the indispensable role that these professionals play in public health in Brazil.”
Source: Senate Agency
What changes with PLP 185/2024
The proposal states that agents will be able to retire at 52 years old (men) e 50 years (women), as long as they have 20 years of effective exercise in the role. It also guarantees completeness and parity, that is, the retired employee will continue to receive the same amount as their active salary, with adjustments equal to those of their active colleagues.
📄 Full reading of the matter in the Senate
The time of functional readaptation — when the agent changes positions for health reasons — will be counted as service time. In addition, periods in union mandate ou licenses for class functions are also included in the retirement calculation. In the event of death, the benefit ensures full pension for dependents.
Constitutional basis and social importance
The initiative is based on Constitutional Amendment 120, which recognizes the right to special treatment for these categories. The differentiated retirement aims to compensate for the continuous exposure to harmful agents and precarious working conditions faced in areas of health risk.
For experts, the impact is twofold: social and structural. The project not only improves the quality of life of these professionals but also helps retain experienced workforce in vulnerable regions where turnover is high. This measure can strengthen the SUS at the grassroots level, reducing gaps in primary care and endemic disease control.
Differences from the Chamber's proposal
Enquanto or PLP 185/2024 is being processed in the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies is discussing the PEC 14 / 2021, which also addresses the hiring and retirement of community agents. This proposal sets higher minimum ages — 57 years for women and 60 for men —, in addition to requiring 25 years of contribution.
The version approved by CAS is considered more favorable to the category, by providing more affordable retirement conditions and guaranteeing full salaries. Therefore, it is expected that the Senate text will serve as a basis for unifying discussions and accelerating the law's enactment.
Challenges and criticisms of the project
Not everything is a consensus. Economists and municipal managers warn of the tax impact of the measure. Granting full pensions could put pressure on local budgets, especially in small towns, where healthcare payroll already consumes a significant portion of revenue. There are also concerns about pension sustainability, if the Union does not increase the transfer of resources.
Even so, the rapporteur maintains that the benefit is fair: "It's a matter of dignity and professional recognition. These civil servants face sun, rain, and biological risks daily to protect our families," said Veneziano Vital do Rêgo during the CAS session.
Next steps and expectations
With approval in the Committee, PLP 185/2024 comes into effect emergency regime and should be considered by the Plenary in the coming weeks. If approved, it will be sent to the Chamber of Deputies.
The National Confederation of Community Health Agents (CONACS) is monitoring the process and promises mobilizations in Brasília to ensure final approval. If it becomes law, the measure could benefit more than 400 professionals across the country, according to estimates from the Ministry of Health.
An advance that still requires vigilance
The recognition of special retirement is a milestone for the category, but experts remember that its implementation depends on clear regulationStates and municipalities will need to adapt their local laws and establish funding sources to ensure payment of the new benefits.
Meanwhile, community workers remain in the field—often in hard-to-reach areas—maintaining direct contact with families and facing risks that few public servants experience. The proposal approved by the CAS, while symbolic, represents a concrete step toward valuing those on the front lines of Brazilian healthcare.
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