Caixa Econômica Federal begins, this Monday (29), the payment of amounts from the Severance Indemnity Fund (FGTS) that were retained for workers who opted for the anniversary withdrawal and were fired or had their contract suspended from January 1, 2020 to December 23, 2025.
The release of resources was authorized by Provisional Measure (MP) 1,331/2025published on Tuesday (23), by the federal government. In total, around R$7.8 billion will be released, benefiting approximately 14.1 million workers across the country.
How will payment be
Payment will be made in two stages:
- First stage: from December 29th, with the release of up to R$1,800 per linked account, limited to the available balance. At this stage, Caixa estimates the release of around R$3.9 billion.
- Second stage: payment of the remaining balance, also estimated at R$3.9 billion, from February 2, 2026, in a staggered manner until February 12, 2026.
Automatic credit to the account
The amounts will be released automatically, without the need for a request from the worker. Credit will be made primarily to the bank account registered in the FGTS application.
According to Caixa, around 87% of workers already have an account registered on the application (app) and will receive the money directly from the bank. The credit is valid for accounts registered until December 18th.
Those who do not have a registered account can withdraw the amount through Caixa’s physical channels, such as:
- lottery outlets;
- self-service terminals;
- Caixa Aqui correspondents;
- Caixa branches.
Withdrawals can be made with a Citizen Card and password. At Caixa terminals, it is also possible to use biometrics or just the password. The values will be available while the provisional measure is in force.
Who cannot withdraw
Resources cannot be withdrawn in the following cases:
- amounts used as collateral in advance loans for the birthday withdrawal
- accounts with judicial blocking, such as in cases of alimony
In these situations, the balance remains unavailable.
Who is entitled to release
Workers who:
- opted for the birthday withdrawal;
- had the employment contract suspended or terminated between January 1, 2020 and December 23, 2025;
- has a balance in the FGTS account relating to the contract.
The release is valid for terminations due to:
- unfair dismissal;
- indirect dismissal, reciprocal fault or force majeure;
- bankruptcy or death of the employer;
- termination of a fixed-term contract (including temporary ones);
- total suspension of casual work.
In the case of termination by agreement between employee and employer, the worker can withdraw 80% of the available balance.
How to check if you are entitled
The worker can check whether they have amounts to receive through the following channels:
- FGTS application (Useful Information option)
- telephone 0800-726-0207 (FGTS option)
- Caixa branches
To find out the exact value, simply consult the statement in the FGTS application. The credits appear with the description “DEP 50S WITHDRAWAL” or “DEP 50A WITHDRAWAL”.
What is the birthday withdrawal?
In force since 2020, the birthday withdrawal allows the worker to withdraw annually, in the month of the birthday, a part of the FGTS balance, in addition to an additional amount. On the other hand, in the case of unfair dismissal, he cannot withdraw the full balance, only the termination fine. This rule motivated the exceptional release now authorized by provisional measure.
It is possible to request a return to withdrawal-rescission, the traditional way of withdrawing the FGTS, but the change only becomes valid 25 months after the request.
More information is available at Caixa website and in the FGTS application.
