Payments above the constitutional salary cap in Brazil’s public sector consumed at least R$24.3 billion in 2025, according to a study by seven civil society organizations. The amount benefited approximately 67,300 public employees. The salary cap is R$46,366.19.
In a manifesto released on November 9, the organizations called on the federal government and Congress elected this year to prioritize efforts to combat above-cap salaries. The 11 proposed measures include national criteria for salary and indemnity payments, greater transparency and accountability for payments without legal grounds.
The organizations criticized temporary rules established in March by the Supreme Federal Court while Congress has yet to pass a federal law on the subject. The rules allow judges and prosecutors to receive up to 35% of the cap in indemnity payments and another 35% for length of service. Together, these payments can raise compensation to as much as 70% above the cap. The organizations say this division establishes an exceptional threshold during the transition. They also oppose raising the constitutional cap.
