Population and social security in Brazil: An analysis with emphasis on constitutional changes

Abstract

This paper analyses the situation of the Brazilian population disaggregated by urban/rural condition with respect to Social Insurance and Social Assistance with emphasis on recent changes. It starts with a historical overview of the system, but concentrates on new provisions mandated by the 1988 Constitution. The 1988 Constitution defined new rules with regard to eligibility conditions and benefit values for both the rural and urban population. But it was only in July 1991, with Law 8213, that these changes were fully implemented. We compare, by sex and individual age, activity rates and probability of receiving benefits, before and after the changes in legislation for the urban and rural population. For the urban population we take into consideration the formalization of work ties. We compare, also in two instances in time, family structure and the importance of the income of the elderly in the family budget.