Pension ABC

All employed researchers appointed after 2006 are registered with the general statutory pension scheme Centro Nacional de Pensões (CNP). This scheme is compulsory for the entire working population as well as for the self-employed with a gross income of more than 6 times the Social Security Index.

A voluntary insurance is possible for residents not registered with the statutory scheme. Thus, fellowship beneficiaries have the opportunity to pay contributions to the statutory pension scheme CNP voluntarily in order to receive old-age pensions. See also question B4

Researchers who were appointed as civil servants before 2006 were registered in the specific pension scheme Caixa Geral de Aposentações (CGA). An explanatory booklet can be found at User Guide CGA.

Contributions are paid by both, employer and employee. For the detailed rate see the Pension Landscape in Portugal.

No, it is not possible to claim a refund of the contributions.

Yes, under the coordination of social security systems [Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 29 April 2004; Regulation (EC) No. 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 16 September 2009] an aggregation of insurance periods is possible if they were fulfilled in a member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

You don’t need to do anything. The pension claim can only be submitted when the pension scheme member meets the qualifying conditions or 90 days before reaching retirement age.

The pension scheme member can, at any time, enquire about his/her entitlements, either at the social security statutory scheme CNP or at the CGA scheme.

Caixa Geral de Aposentações (CGA)
Phone Line: +351 217 807 807 (working days only, from 8:30 to 16:30)
E-Mail: cga@sgd.pt
Homepage: http://www.cga.pt/cgainicio_en.asp# 

Centro Nacional de Pensões (CNP)
Homepage: www4.seg-social.pt  (in Portguese only)

• Old-age pensions
• Disability pension
• Survivor’s pension

The minimum qualifying period for an old-age pension is 15 years of relevant contribution. (Possible recognition of times spent in other EU countries see question B3, below).

Yes, under the coordination of social security systems [Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 29 April 2004; Regulation (EC) No. 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 16 September 2009] an aggregation of insurance periods is possible if they were fulfilled in a member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

For researchers subject to the statutory pension scheme CNP the contributions are mandatory. Researchers with scholarships can chose to subscribe to old-age pension benefits and pay contributions voluntarily.

For additional information on voluntary contributions for researchers contact CNP or:

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P
Av. D. Carlos I, 126
1249-074 LISBOA

Phone Line: +351 213 924 300
Homepage: www.fct.pt

It depends on the time the researcher has served and on the value of his/her contributions. The benefits are calculated on a career average earnings related basis. Pensions are paid 14 times a year.

The standard retirement age is 65. Once an insured person has completed 30 years of contributions, early retirement at the age of 55 is possible but leading to a pension reduction of 0,5% per month until standard retirement age. After an early retirement it is also possible to pay contributions voluntary which increase the pension amount.

It is possible to accrue higher pension entitlements through a late retirement if, at least 15 years of contribution have been fulfilled. This bonus is being provided until reaching 70 years of age.

Under the coordination of social security systems, the pension claim can be submitted to the pension institution that covers the worker at the time of application. So within the European Union, the European Economic Area (Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) and Switzerland, you can address the responsible statutory pension insurance institution in your current country of residence. Please indicate that you were insured with the statutory Portuguese pension scheme CNP or the pension scheme CGA.

Yes, if the qualifying conditions of the Portuguese pension scheme are met.

Working in another EU country does not affect the pension entitlement or the beginning of the retirement pension.

It depends on the time the researcher has served and on the value of his/her contributions. The benefits are calculated on an earnings related basis. Pensions are paid 14 times a year.

The pension scheme member can, at any time, enquire about his/her entitlements, either at the social security statutory scheme CNP or at the CGA scheme. For further contact information please see A5.

The Portuguese pension institution (the CGA for public employees appointed until 2005-12-31 and the CNP for public employees appointed afterwards) will pay the pension (14 monthly installments) directly to the researcher by bank transfer.