Pensioners under Social Security living abroad are required to provide annual proof of life to continue receiving their pensions under a measure now in effect.
DECO PROTeste highlights that “in March of this year, when the government published the decree approving this measure, it justified the decision as necessary to prevent the payment of pensions and other benefits to Portuguese residents abroad who had already died, due to communication failures with Social Security.”
“At that time, the government stated that it had identified approximately 11 million euros in benefits paid to deceased individuals. The proof of life for pensioners is already regularly conducted by CAIXA Geral de Aposentações (CGA) pensioners,” reads the consumer advocacy organization’s website.
Which Pensioners Must Provide Proof of Life?
According to DECO PROTeste, “all pensioners under the Social Security regime residing abroad who receive disability, old-age, and survivor’s pensions must provide proof of life.”
Moreover, “this proof of life must be provided annually by the pensioner, starting from the calendar year following the commencement of pension payments or change of residence to the foreign country.”
“However, the law exempts pensioners residing in countries with which Portugal has a data exchange agreement that allows the identification of deaths,” the website states.
When is Proof of Life Conducted?
DECO PROTeste reminds that “proof of life must be provided annually, between May 1 and September 15,” and “in April of each year, Social Security will notify all pensioners residing abroad to undertake proof of life.”
“This notification will be sent electronically or by letter, the latter if the pensioner is not registered on the Social Security website,” the site notes.
However, “as the regulation has just come into effect, this year will see a transitional regime with different dates for the implementation of this proof of life,” noting that “this year, pensioners residing in Switzerland and Luxembourg above the normal retirement age for old-age pensions are already required to provide proof of life.”
“Exceptionally, this year, the notification from Social Security to these pensioners will be issued by the end of September. Proof of life must be completed by the end of November 2025. Failure to do so will result in cessation of pension payments from January 2026,” the organization states.
It is noted that the proof of life “can be conducted digitally, in person, or through documentation.”
