Brazil's Supreme Federal Court formed a majority on Sunday to authorize partial retroactive payments of judicial perks to judges and prosecutors [1].
The decision impacts the financial compensation of the judiciary and the Public Ministry by releasing funds that had been previously suspended. This move addresses long-standing disputes over the legality of additional benefits, known as “penduricalhos,” which often draw public scrutiny for inflating public servant salaries.
Ministers Dias Toffoli and Luiz Fux were among those involved in the proceedings in Brasília [1]. The court said that the release of these payments is contingent upon verification by the National Council of Justice (CNJ) [1]. The CNJ must confirm that the specific payments are legal and regular before the funds are disbursed [1].
According to the court's findings, the authorized payments include compensation for vacations, premium leave, and judicial on-call duties [1]. These retroactive amounts had been held in limbo pending a definitive legal ruling on their legitimacy.
The decision was finalized on June 28, 2026 [1]. By requiring CNJ oversight, the STF aims to ensure that the payouts do not violate existing administrative laws or salary caps. The court's majority said that the verification process provides a sufficient safeguard against irregular payments while allowing officials to receive earned compensation.
This ruling resolves a significant portion of the administrative backlog regarding judicial benefits. The focus now shifts to the National Council of Justice to implement the verification process for the affected members of the judiciary and the Public Ministry [1].
“The STF formed a majority to authorize the payment of part of the so‑called “penduricalhos””
This ruling represents a compromise between the judiciary's demand for retroactive benefits and the need for administrative oversight. By delegating the verification to the CNJ, the Supreme Federal Court avoids a blanket approval of all perks, potentially mitigating some political backlash while ensuring that legally sound payments are eventually delivered to judicial officers.
