On Wednesday, the Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) will review a decision by Minister Flávio Dino, which halted the payment of so-called "penduricalhos" (additional payments) to civil servants across the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. These extra payments, which have been under scrutiny, effectively bypass the constitutional salary cap for civil servants, allowing some to earn significantly more than the ceiling established for ministers of the STF, currently set at R$ 46,366.

The practice of creating these additional payments has led to the phenomenon known as "supersalários," where public employees earn salaries that exceed the constitutional limit by classifying certain payments as indemnities. This loophole has been a contentious issue in Brazilian politics, prompting numerous legislative proposals aimed at reforming this situation, although no proposals have successfully advanced to the point of being enacted into law.

The government's prioritization of addressing supersalaries was highlighted in its agenda for the 2025 Legislative Year, indicating the significance of this issue. The upcoming decision by the STF not only has potential implications for the salaries of public servants but also reflects broader concerns about fiscal responsibility and transparency in public administration.