Portugal

Old Age, Disability, and Survivors

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1935 (1919 legislation not implemented).

Current laws: 1980 (noncontributory scheme), 1993 (general scheme), and 2002 (social security).

Type of program: Social insurance and social assistance system.

Coverage

Social insurance: Employed persons and self-employed persons with gross annual income greater than six times the highest minimum wage.

Voluntary coverage for self-employed persons with gross annual income up to six times the highest minimum wage and for persons not covered by any contributory program.

Special systems for miners, longshoremen, railway workers, fishermen, and merchant seamen. (Special systems will gradually be unified with the general system.)

Social assistance: Persons not covered under a contributory program.

Source of Funds

Insured person: 11% of gross earnings.

Of the total 34.75% of gross earnings contributed by the insured person and employer, 16.01% finances old-age benefits, 3.42% finances disability benefits, 3.67% finances survivor benefits.

The insured's contributions also finance sickness and maternity, occupational disease, unemployment, and family benefits.

Self-employed person: 25.4% of reference income for mandatory coverage or 32% for voluntary coverage.

The reference income for contribution purposes is chosen by the self-employed person from a range of 1.5 to 12 times the national minimum wage. The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

The self-employed person's contributions also finance sickness and maternity, occupational disease, and family benefits.

Employer: 23.75% of payroll.

Of the total 34.75% of payroll contributed by the insured person and employer, 16.01% finances old-age benefits, 3.42% finances disability benefits, 3.67% finances survivor benefits.

The employer's contributions also finance sickness and maternity, occupational disease, unemployment, and family benefits.

Government: Subsidizes the social pension; 3% of the value-added tax is allocated (until December 31, 2009) to the social security system.

Qualifying Conditions

Old-age pension: Age 65 (men and women) with 15 calendar years of contributions.

A total of 120 days of registered pay are needed for a qualifying calendar year. Calendar years with less than 120 days of registered pay may be aggregated to complete a single qualifying calendar year. Insurance periods completed under other domestic or foreign social security programs may be taken into account provided that the insured has at least 1 calendar year of registered earnings under the general system.

Age 50 for miners; age 55 for longshoremen, fishermen, and merchant seamen; age 55 for air traffic controllers; age 55 for dancers or age 45 with a reduced pension; and age 60 for aircraft flight crew.

The pension is paid to unemployed persons at age 60 if the unemployment benefit is exhausted, at age 58 (under a special scheme), or at age 55 with a reduced pension.

Early pension: Payable from age 55 with at least 30 years of contributions.

Deferred pension: A deferred pension is possible from age 65. Retirement from covered employment is necessary at age 70.

Social pension (means-tested): Aged 65 or older and with no coverage under any contributory social security program.

Means test: Monthly income must not exceed 30% of the national minimum wage for a single person; 50% for a couple. The national minimum wage is €385.90.

Solidarity supplement for the elderly (means-tested): Payable to persons aged 80 or older (will be gradually extended to all persons aged 65 or older by 2009) and to recipients of the lifelong allowance (see Family Allowances, below) who are not eligible for the social pension. The insured must have resided in the national territory in the last 6 years before claiming the benefit.

Means test: The beneficiary's annual income must be less than €4,200.

Disability pension: Payable for the loss of 2/3 of earning capacity with 5 years of contributions (120 days of registered pay are needed for a qualifying year).

Social pension (means-tested): Aged 18 or older, disabled, and with no coverage under any contributory program.

Means test: Monthly income must not exceed 30% of the national minimum wage for a single person; 50% for a couple. The national minimum wage is €385.90.

Survivor pension: The deceased met the contribution conditions for an old-age pension or a disability pension or was a pensioner at the time of death.

Old-Age Benefits

Old-age pension: The monthly pension is equal to 2% of the average adjusted lifetime monthly salary for each qualifying calendar year (2% to 2.3% according to the insured's reference earnings for those with 21 or more qualifying calendar years), up to a maximum of 40 years.

Reference earnings are calculated as the average monthly earnings for all years of insurance coverage, up to a maximum of 40 years.

For a transitional period (until 2017), pensions may be calculated according to the former method (2% of average annual earnings for the best 10 calendar years out of the last 15 years multiplied by the total number of qualifying calendar years) or the current method (above), or a combination of the two, whichever is greater.

The minimum pension is either 30% of the reference earnings used for calculating the pension or a monthly amount fixed according to the length of the insured's career (ranging from €223.24 for a career of no more than 15 years to €343.45 for a career of at least 31 years), whichever is greater.

The maximum pension is equal to 92% of the reference earnings used for calculating the pension.

Deferred pension: The pension amount is increased by 10% for each additional year of contributions completed between age 65 and age 70, provided that the insured has 40 calendar years of contributions at the time of the pension claim.

Long-term care supplement: €85.87 is paid for a first-degree dependence (the insured requires the attendance of another person to perform ordinary daily activities) or €154.56 for a second-degree dependence (in addition to a first-degree dependence condition, the insured is bedridden or suffers from a severe mental illness).

Dependent spouse's supplement: €33.36 a month.

The old-age pension can be combined with earnings from gainful activity.

Benefits are payable abroad under reciprocal agreement.

Schedule of payments: Benefits are paid monthly, with an additional payment in July and at Christmas.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living.

Social pension (means-tested): €171.73 a month.

Solidarity extra supplement: As a supplement to the social pension, €15.89 is paid for persons up to age 69; €31.77 if aged 70 or older.

Long-term care supplement: €77.28 is paid for a first-degree dependence (the insured requires the attendance of another person to perform ordinary daily activities) or €145.97 for a second-degree dependence (in addition to a first-degree dependence condition, the insured is bedridden or suffers from a severe mental illness).

Benefits are payable abroad under reciprocal agreement.

Solidarity supplement for the elderly (means-tested): The annual supplement is equal to the difference between the insured's annual income and €4,200.

Benefits are payable abroad under reciprocal agreement.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Disability pension: The monthly pension is equal to 2% of the average adjusted lifetime monthly salary for each qualifying calendar year (2% to 2.35% according to the insured's reference earnings for those with 21 or more qualifying calendar years), up to a maximum of 40 years.

Reference earnings are calculated as the average monthly earnings for all years of insurance coverage, up to a maximum of 40 years.

For a transitional period (until 2017), pensions may be calculated according to the former method (2% of average annual earnings for the best 10 calendar years out of the last 15 years multiplied by the total number of qualifying calendar years) or the current method (above), or a combination of the two, whichever is greater.

The minimum pension is either 30% of the reference earnings used for calculating the pension or a monthly amount fixed according to the length of the insured's career (ranging from €223.24 for a career of no more than 15 years to €343.45 for a career of at least 31 years), whichever is greater.

The maximum pension is equal to 92% of the reference earnings used for calculating the pension.

Long-term care supplement: €85.87 is paid for a first-degree dependence (the insured requires the attendance of another person to perform ordinary daily activities) or €154.56 for a second-degree dependence (in addition to a first-degree dependence condition, the insured is bedridden or suffers from a severe mental illness).

Schedule of payments: Benefits are paid monthly, with an additional payment in July and at Christmas.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living.

Social pension (income-tested): €171.73 a month.

Solidarity extra supplement: As a supplement to the social pension, €15.89 is paid for persons up to age 69; €31.77 if aged 70 or older.

Long-term care supplement: €77.28 in case of a first-degree dependence (the insured requires the attendance of another person to perform ordinary daily activities) or €145.97 in case of a second-degree dependence (in addition to first-degree dependence condition, the insured is bedridden or suffer from a severe mental illness).

Survivor Benefits

Survivor pension: The monthly widow(er)'s pension is equal to 60% of the deceased's pension (70% if both the spouse and a divorced spouse are eligible). The pension is limited to 5 years unless the widow(er) is older than age 35, disabled, or caring for a child.

Orphan's pension: The monthly pension is equal to 20% of the deceased's pension for one orphan, 30% for two orphans, or 40% for three or more orphans younger than age 18 (age 27 if a student, no limit if disabled); for full orphans the pension is 40%, 60%, or 80% for one, two, or three or more beneficiaries, respectively.

Other eligible survivors (in the absence of the above): Parents and grandparents receive 30%, 50%, or 80% of the deceased's pension, for one, two, or three or more beneficiaries, respectively.

The total survivor pension must not exceed 100% of the deceased's pension.

Schedule of payments: Benefits are paid monthly, with an additional payment in July and at Christmas.

Death grant: The grant is equal to six times the deceased's average monthly earnings in the best 2 of the last 5 years.

Widow(er)'s social pension (income-tested): The monthly pension is €103.04 (equal to 60% of the social pension).

Orphan's social pension (income-tested): The monthly pension is €34.34, €51.52, or €68.69 (equal to 20%, 30%, or 40% of the social pension, respectively) for one, two, or three or more orphans, respectively.

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity (http://www.mtss.gov.pt/english.asp) provides general supervision through the State Secretariat for Solidarity and Social Security.

General Directorate for Solidarity and Social Security (http://www.seg-social.pt) administers the program.

Sickness and Maternity

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1935 (1919 legislation not implemented).

Current laws: 1998 (maternity and paternity), 2002 (social security), and 2004 (sickness).

Type of program: Social insurance (cash benefits) and universal (medical benefits) system.

Coverage

Cash sickness benefits: Employed persons.

Voluntary coverage for self-employed persons and certain categories of persons not covered by any other contributory program.

Cash maternity, paternity, and adoption benefits: Employed and self-employed persons.

Voluntary coverage for certain categories of persons not covered by any other contributory program.

Medical benefits: All Portuguese citizens; foreign citizens residing in Portugal whose country has a reciprocal agreement with Portugal.

Source of Funds

Insured person: Of the total 34.75% of gross earnings contributed by the insured person and the employer under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above, 3.05% finances sickness benefits and 0.73% finances maternity benefits.

Self-employed person: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.

Employer: Of the total 34.75% of payroll contributed by the insured person and the employer under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above, 3.05% finances sickness benefits and 0.73% finances maternity benefits.

Government: Subsidizes medical benefits.

Qualifying Conditions

Cash sickness benefit: Must have 6 months of insurance coverage, including 12 days of paid or credited (for paid sick leave occurring within 60 days after the end of a previous illness; paid maternity, paternity, or adoption leave; or compulsory military or community service) contributions in the 4 months before the month in which the incapacity began.

Maternity, paternity, and adoption benefits: Must have 6 months of insurance coverage.

Sickness and Maternity Benefits

Sickness benefit: 65% of average daily earnings are paid for the first 90 days and 70% from the 91st up to the 365th day; thereafter, 75%. For cases of tuberculosis, 80% of average daily earnings is paid if the insured has at least 2 dependents; 100% if there are three of more dependents. The benefit is payable after a 3-day waiting period (30 days for self-employed persons); the waiting period is waived in cases of hospitalization or tuberculosis or during the postpartum period.

The benefit is paid for a maximum of 1,095 days (365 days for self-employed persons); no limit for cases of tuberculosis.

Average daily earnings are based on earnings in the 6 months before the last 2 months before the month the incapacity began.

The minimum sickness benefit is equal to either 30% of the national minimum wage or the average daily earnings used for calculating the cash sickness benefit, whichever is lower. The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

Disabled or sick child allowance: 65% of average daily earnings is paid for a maximum of 30 days per year to each sick or injured child (or stepchild) younger than age 10 in need of care and living with the insured; no limit for a disabled child. For a child younger than age 12 with a serious disability or chronic illness, the allowance is payable for between 6 months and 4 years, up to a monthly maximum equal to the national minimum wage. The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

Average daily earnings are based on earnings in the 6 months before the last 2 months before the month the incapacity began.

Maternity benefit: The benefit is equal to 100% of average daily earnings. The benefit is payable for 120 days, including 90 days after childbirth. The beneficiary can opt for a 150-day leave period paid at 80% of daily earnings (the 30 additional days must be taken after childbirth). The additional leave period can be awarded to the father or shared between the two parents under certain conditions. In the event of the medical certification of a miscarriage, 14 to 30 days of benefits are paid.

Average daily earnings are based on earnings in the 6 months before the last 2 months before childbirth.

The minimum maternity benefit is 50% of the national minimum wage. The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

Special maternity allowance: The benefit is equal to 65% of average daily earnings. The allowance is payable to pregnant women, to women who have recently given birth, or to women who are breastfeeding an infant and who are exposed to health and safety risks in the workplace or work at night.

Average daily earnings are based on earnings in the 6 months before the last 2 months before ceasing work.

Paternity benefit: The benefit is equal to 100% of average daily earnings. The benefit is payable for 5 days or for the same period awarded to the mother after childbirth in the event of medical complications arising from childbirth, the death of the mother (in which case the paternity leave must not be less than 30 days), or a joint decision made by both parents (after a 6-week maternity leave period) to cease the maternity benefit. If the parents opt for a 150-day leave period, the benefit is equal to 80% of average daily earnings.

Average daily earnings are based on earnings in the 6 months before the last 2 months before childbirth.

The paternity benefit is not payable to self-employed persons.

The minimum paternity benefit is equal to 50% of the national minimum wage. The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

Adoption benefit: The benefit is equal to 100% of average daily earnings and is payable for the first 100 days following the adoption of a child younger than age 15. If there are two adopting persons, they can share the period of leave.

Average daily earnings are based on earnings in the 6 months before the last 2 months before the adoption.

The minimum adoption benefit is equal to 50% of the national minimum wage. The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

Parental leave benefit: The benefit is equal to 100% of average daily earnings and is paid to the father for 15 days but only if preceded by paternity or maternity leave. The parental leave period is credited when calculating the disability pension or old-age pension.

Average daily earnings are based on earnings in the 6 months before the last 2 months before the parental leave period.

Special leave benefit for grandparents: The benefit is equal to 100% of average daily earnings. The benefit is payable for 30 days following the birth of a grandchild if the parent of the newborn child is younger than age 16 and living in the family home.

Average daily earnings are based on earnings in the 6 months before the last 2 months before childbirth.

Special leave benefit for grandparents is not payable to self-employed persons.

Workers' Medical Benefits

Medical services are provided directly to patients by health centers and hospitals. Benefits include general and specialist care, maternity care, hospitalization, surgery, and listed medicines.

There is some cost sharing.

There is no limit to duration.

Dependents' Medical Benefits

Medical services are provided directly to patients by health centers and hospitals. Benefits include general and specialist care, maternity care, hospitalization, surgery, and listed medicines.

There is some cost sharing.

There is no limit to duration.

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity (http://www.mtss.gov.pt/english.asp) provides general supervision through the State Secretariat for Solidarity and Social Security.

Regional social security centers administer cash benefits.

Regional health administrations administer medical benefits.

Work Injury

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1913.

Current law: 1997 (work injury).

Type of program: Employer-liability (work injury) and social insurance (occupational diseases) system.

Coverage

Employed and self-employed persons.

Source of Funds

Insured person: None.

Self-employed person: For contributions for occupational diseases only, see source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.

Employer: Employers must purchase liability insurance for work injury with a private carrier. Premiums vary according to the assessed degree of risk (work injury), plus 0.5% of payroll (occupational diseases) taken from the 23.75% contribution made under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.

Government: None.

Qualifying Conditions

Work injury benefits: There is no minimum qualifying period.

Temporary Disability Benefits

The benefit is equal to 70% of reference earnings during the first 12 months; thereafter, 75%. The benefit is payable until full recovery or certification of permanent total disability.

Reference earnings are based on the average daily wage.

Partial disability: The benefit is equal to 70% of lost earning capacity.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Permanent disability pension: For a total incapacity for work in the usual profession, the pension is between 50% and 70% of reference earnings, according to the insured's residual earning capacity. For a total incapacity for all work, the pension is equal to 80% of reference earnings plus 10% for each dependent, up to a maximum of 100%.

Reference earnings are based on the annual wage (work injury) or the average monthly wage (occupational diseases).

Partial disability: 70% of lost earning capacity is paid if the assessed degree of disability is greater than 30%; if the assessed degree of disability is less than 30%, an amount corresponding to 70% of lost earning capacity is paid as a lump sum.

Survivor Benefits

Survivor pension: The surviving spouse receives 30% of the deceased's reference earnings; 40% if the surviving spouse is aged 65 or older or disabled.

Reference earnings are based on the annual wage (work injury) or the average monthly wage (occupational diseases).

Orphan's pension: 20% of the deceased's reference earnings are paid for one orphan younger than age 18 (age 22 or 25 if a student); 40% for two orphans or 50% for three or more orphans. Full orphans receive double benefits, up to a total maximum of 80% of the insured's salary.

Reference earnings are based on the annual wage (work injury) or the average monthly wage (occupational diseases).

Parent's pension: Each surviving parent receives 10% of the deceased's reference earnings, up to a maximum of 30%.

Reference earnings are based on the annual wage (work injury) or the average monthly wage (occupational diseases).

Funeral grant: The cost of the funeral, up to a maximum of four times the legal monthly minimum wage; the grant is doubled if transportation costs are necessary.

Death allowance: A lump sum equal to 12 times the legal monthly minimum wage in the deceased's previous profession, with 50% payable to the spouse and 50% to the children; 100% is paid if there is only one dependent survivor.

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Finance provides general supervision of the work injury program through the Portuguese Insurance Institute.

Insurance companies manage work accident insurance policies.

Portuguese Insurance Institute supervises insurance companies.

Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity (http://www.mtss.gov.pt/english.asp) provides general supervision of the occupational disease program.

National Occupational Disease Insurance Fund administers the occupational disease program.

Unemployment

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1975.

Current laws: 1999 and 2003.

Type of program: Social insurance and social assistance system.

Coverage

Employed persons, cooperative workers not covered under the self-employed persons program, and performing artists.

Exclusions: Self-employed persons.

Source of Funds

Insured person: Of the total 34.75% of gross earnings contributed by the insured person and the employer under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above, 5.22% finances unemployment benefits.

Self-employed person: Not applicable.

Employer: Of the total 34.75% of payroll contributed by the insured person and the employer under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above, 5.22% finances unemployment benefits.

Government: None.

Qualifying Conditions

Unemployment benefit: The insured must have 540 days of contributions in the last 24 months before unemployment (special conditions apply to performing artists). The insured must register at an employment office and must be capable of, and available for, work. Unemployment must be involuntary.

Unemployment social benefit (means-tested): The insured must have 180 days of contributions in the last 12 months before unemployment. The insured is not eligible or has exhausted entitlement for unemployment benefits. The insured must register at an employment office and must be capable of, and available for, work. Unemployment must be involuntary.

Means test: Individual monthly income must not exceed 80% of the national monthly minimum wage. The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

Part-time unemployment benefit: The insured person must be receiving unemployment benefits and have accepted a part-time labor contract (the number of hours of part-time work must be higher than 20% and lower than 75% of normal weekly working time) under which earnings are lower than the unemployment benefit.

Unemployment Benefits

The benefit is equal to 65% of average earnings.

Average earnings are based on earnings in the 12 months before the 2 months before the month in which unemployment began.

The minimum benefit is equal to the legal minimum wage. The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

The maximum benefit is equal to three times the legal minimum wage. The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

The duration of entitlement is calculated according to the insured's age. For insured persons up to age 30, 12 months; if aged 31 to 40, 18 months; if aged 41 to 45, 24 months; if older than age 45, 30 months plus 2 months for each 5-year contribution period in the last 20 years.

For insured persons aged 55 or older, the unemployment benefit is paid until age 60, when it is replaced by the old-age pension. An unemployed person can also claim an old-age pension at age 58 (under certain temporary conditions) or at age 55 (under certain conditions and with a benefit reduction).

Social assistance unemployment benefit: The benefit for a single person is equal to 80% of the legal minimum wage; 100% if the claimant has dependents. The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

The duration of entitlement is calculated according to the insured's age. For claimants up to age 30, 12 months; if aged 31 to 40, 18 months; if aged 41 to 45, 24 months; if older than age 45, 30 months plus 2 months for each 5-year contribution period in the last 20 years.

Part-time unemployment benefit: The benefit is equal to the difference between 1.25 times the unemployment benefit and the value of earnings from part-time work.

The duration of entitlement is calculated according to the insured's age. For claimants up to age 30, 12 months; if aged 31 to 40, 18 months; if aged 41 to 45, 24 months; if older than age 45, 30 months plus 2 months for each 5-year contribution period in the last 20 years.

For insured persons aged 55 or older, the unemployment benefit is paid until age 60, when it is replaced by the old-age pension. An unemployed person can also claim an old-age pension at age 58 (under certain temporary conditions) or at age 55 (under certain conditions and with a benefit reduction).

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity (http://www.mtss.gov.pt/english.asp) provides general supervision through the State Secretariat for Solidarity and Social Security.

General Directorate for Solidarity and Social Security (http://www.seg-social.pt) administers the program.

Employment centers review claimants' eligibility.

Family Allowances

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1942.

Current laws: 1997, 2002 (social security), and 2003 (family benefits).

Type of program: Universal system.

Coverage

Children of nationals, foreign citizens, refugees, and noncitizens residing in Portugal (or deemed as such).

Source of Funds

Insured person: Of the total 34.75% of gross earnings contributed by the insured person and the employer under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above, 2.15% finances family benefits.

Self-employed person: See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.

Employer: Of the total 34.75% of payroll contributed by the insured person and the employer under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above, 2.15% finances family benefits.

Government: Subsidizes the program.

Qualifying Conditions

Family allowances (income-tested): The insured must have registered earnings in the 12-month period before the last 2 months before claiming the benefit (waived for pensioners or recipients of work injury or occupational disease benefits assessed as at least 50% disabled). The beneficiary resides in Portugal, is the insured's dependent, and is not covered by a compulsory social security system.

Means test: The dependent's income must be no greater than twice the social pension if married or no greater than the social pension if widowed, divorced, or separated. The social pension is equal to €171.73 a month.

Funeral grant: The insured must have registered earnings in the 12-month period before the last 2 month before the death of the family member.

Special education allowance: Paid to disabled children younger than age 24 attending special education establishments, regular private school, creche, or kindergarten or receiving support from a specialized institution.

Lifelong allowance: Payable to financially dependent family members older than age 24 with a physical or mental disability.

Solidarity supplement: A monthly cash supplement paid in addition to the lifelong allowance.

Family Allowance Benefits

Family allowances (income-tested): The allowance is calculated according to family income and the child's age. The reference family income is determined by dividing the total income of all working family members by the number of eligible children plus one. The allowance is paid for reference family income up to five times the national minimum wage.

The national monthly minimum wage is €385.90.

If the reference family income is not greater than half the national minimum wage, €126.69 per month is paid to each child up to 12 months of age and €30.67 per month to each child older than 12 months. Eligible children between ages 6 and 16 receive an additional payment each September toward education fees.

If the reference family income is greater than half of the national minimum wage but not greater than the national minimum wage, €105.58 per month is paid to each child up to 12 months of age and €26.40 per month to each child older than 12 months.

If the reference family income is greater than the national minimum wage but not greater than 150% of the national minimum wage, €84.46 per month is paid to each child up to 12 months of age and €24.29 per month to each child older than 12 months.

If the reference family income is greater than 150% of the national minimum wage but not greater than 250% of the national minimum wage, €52.43 per month is paid to each child up to 12 months of age and €20.97 per month to each child older than 12 months.

If the reference family income is greater than 250% of the national minimum wage but not greater than 500% of the national minimum wage, €31.46 per month is paid to each child up to 12 months of age and €10.49 per month to each child older than 12 months.

Disabled child special supplement: €53.91 a month is paid for a child younger than age 14; €78.51 if between ages 14 and 18; €105.10 if between ages 19 and 24.

Constant-attendance supplement: €80.10 a month.

Funeral grant: €197.63 is paid to the person who paid for the funeral.

Special education allowance: A variable amount is paid according to household income.

Lifelong allowance: €160.20 a month is paid.

Solidarity supplement: €15.89 is paid if the person is younger than age 70; €31.77 if aged 70 or older.

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity (http://www.mtss.gov.pt/english.asp) provides general supervision through the State Secretariat for Solidarity and Social Security.

General Directorate for Solidarity and Social Security (http://www.seg-social.pt) administers the program.