Brazilian workers earning up to five minimum wages can use their severance funds to pay off debts starting May 26, 2026 [3].
The initiative aims to reduce household indebtedness and provide immediate financial relief to low-income citizens. By allowing access to restricted savings, the government seeks to facilitate debt renegotiation on a national scale [5].
Administered by the Ministry of Finance, the Desenrola 2.0 program launched on May 4, 2026 [4]. Under the rules, eligible participants may withdraw up to 20% of their balance from the Fundo de Garantia do Tempo de Serviço, known as FGTS [1].
Reports on the total scale of the program vary. Some data indicates the government will release up to R$ 8.2 billion in total resources to support the debt-relief effort [2]. Other reports suggest a lower threshold of R$ 1 billion [2].
Eligibility is strictly tied to income levels, targeting those who earn up to five minimum wages [5]. The program allows these workers to leverage their FGTS balances to settle debts, though there are conflicting reports on whether the balance must fully cover the debt amount or if the 20% cap applies regardless of the total debt size [2].
The FGTS is a mandatory fund that employers deposit for workers, typically accessible only upon termination of employment or specific life events. This program represents a strategic shift to use these locked assets to stabilize the financial health of the working class.
“Workers may withdraw up to 20% of their FGTS balance to settle debts.”
This move signals a government priority to stimulate the economy by cleaning up personal balance sheets. By converting locked severance savings into active debt payments, the Brazilian government is attempting to lower default rates and increase the disposable income of its lowest-earning workers, though it risks reducing the long-term social safety net those workers would otherwise have upon unemployment.
