PIS/PASEP may now be available for your CPF.
If there's one thing Brazilians tend to put off, it's checking if they have forgotten money in some old benefit. And the PIS/PASEP It's the champion of these "lost treasures." Many people go years without realizing they have shares available, quietly earning interest, waiting to be withdrawn. And when they finally find out, the shock comes: they're not worth any money.
Depending on your work history, you can find very attractive amounts, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand reais. Therefore, understanding how to check your balance and whether it's possible to withdraw it today is practically a favor you're doing for yourself.
What exactly is PIS/PASEP?
First of all, let's go over the basics. PIS is a program aimed at workers in private companies and administered by Caixa Econômica Federal. PASEP, on the other hand, is for public sector employees and is managed by Banco do Brasil. For many years, these programs functioned as separate funds, where quotas from workers registered between 1971 and 1988 were deposited. Later, these funds were unified and became part of the FGTS (Severance Indemnity Fund). But, despite this unification, the old quotas continue to exist—and many people still have balances linked to their CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID).
The biggest confusion is that workers often mix up quotas with the salary bonus. And that's where many people miss opportunities. The bonus has rules regarding the base year, income, and length of service. Quotas do not. They are historical values, accumulated over decades, and completely independent of the annual benefit that people are already familiar with. In other words: you may not be entitled to the bonus and still have money waiting to be withdrawn.
Why might these figures be surprising?
PIS/PASEP quotas don't remain fixed at their original value. They undergo adjustments over the years, meaning that small amount from the past may have grown considerably. It's common to find accounts of people who didn't even remember being entitled to them and, upon checking, discovered much larger amounts than they expected.
And this doesn't just apply to those who worked during that period. Heirs are also entitled to withdraw the shares of the deceased account holder. In many cases, the family doesn't even know this money exists—and ends up stumbling upon the information unintentionally. When they look into it, they find amounts that help with the household budget, paying off debts, or even providing unexpected relief during tight times.
How does checking your PIS/PASEP status work?
The consultation is simple, quick, and completely free. I won't give you the step-by-step instructions here because you already have an article explaining it in detail, but it's worth reinforcing the essentials: the verification is done through the official channels of Caixa (PIS) and Banco do Brasil (PASEP), or in the FGTS app, depending on the case. You enter your CPF, authenticate, and that's it—the system shows if there is a balance available.
No intermediaries, no fees, no depending on third-party "experts." The consultation is yours, the benefit is yours, and the access is official. If someone tried to sell you this service, you know what to do: be suspicious.
Who has available funds?
It's simple:
- Who worked between 1971 and 1988 with a formal employment contract (PIS).
- Who was a public servant during that period (PASEP).
- Direct heirs of individuals who fall within these dates.
Even those born later may be entitled to the benefit, but as heirs. And there's no need to fear bureaucracy: the documents required for heirs to withdraw the funds are basic, such as a death certificate and proof of relationship.
Is it possible to withdraw on the same day?
Yes. If you check and find that you have available funds, in many cases the withdrawal can be requested and completed on the same day. The money can be deposited directly into your account, without bureaucracy and without needing an in-person visit. Of course, some specific situations may require assistance at the branch, but, in general, the process is much simpler than most people imagine.
The best part is that you don't have to be tied to schedules, you don't have to face endless queues, and you don't have to gather a pile of documents. The systems already pull practically everything automatically.
Why should you consult even if you think you have nothing wrong?
Because many people have them. It's that simple. Many workers believe they don't have quotas because they "don't remember contributing," "worked for a short time," or "someone said it ended." But the truth is that this benefit remains active, and the balances are still there, growing over the years.
Furthermore, the databases undergo constant updates. It has happened that people checked once and found nothing, but when they checked again months later, they discovered a balance had been released. This can occur due to system integration, registration adjustments, or even the regularization of old records.
What can you do with this money?
Anything. There are no rules for how to use it. It can be for paying bills, investing, saving, helping a family member, buying something necessary, or simply making the month easier. The money is yours, period. Especially since we're talking about an employment benefit; nobody has the right to tell you how you should use it.
Don't miss the conference opportunity.
Ultimately, checking your PIS/PASEP balance is one of those actions that requires virtually zero effort and can yield a lot. It only takes a few minutes. And the worst that can happen is that you get nothing, which doesn't change your life. But the best thing that can happen is that you get exactly what you need right now: forgotten money that finally comes back to you.
See also: How do I withdraw gas assistance money?
Published on November 18, 2025
Graduated in Literature – Portuguese/English, and creator of the website Successful Writer, seeks to expand everyone's knowledge with relevant information on a variety of topics, as a writer. At Vaga de Emprego RJ, she provides opportunities and tips on the job market.